AITUC condemns Sunurok killings, questions security lapse
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, October 21 2026: The All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC), Manipur State Committee has said that if the present Government is unable to bring an end to the continuing violence in the State, it would be better for it to step down.

In a statement, the AITUC said the violence between Meitei and Kuki narco-terrorists that began on May 3, 2023 has been going on for over three years.

What started as a conflict between Meitei and Kuki has now spread to clashes between Kuki and Naga, and the victims include Nepali and other non-Manipuris.

The Government keeps telling the public that peace is returning and movement has resumed and that the conflict cannot be resolved overnight through talks, it said.

It stated that since Yumnam Khemchand took over as Chief Minister in February 2026 till now, more than 80 people including Meitei, Naga, Kuki and Nepali have been killed and more than 90 injured.

Most of those killed and injured in these incidents are common people and labourers.

Pointing to the latest incident the AITUC said three Meitei civilians who had gone to collect firewood at Sunurok Uyok Ching under Sagolmang Police Station, Imphal East were killed in an attack by Kuki militants on October 19 .

Four others were injured and are undergoing treatment.

It questioned what crime the poor labourers, who went to collect firewood out of poverty, had committed to be killed and injured, and why the Government is not taking appropriate action.

The October 19 incident could have been avoided if the nearby 35 Assam Rifles had taken swift measures, it said.

Even after being informed about the firing, the AR reportedly wasted more than an hour saying uniforms were not ready, the statement alleged.

The Manipur Police also did not act swiftly and wasted time saying information had been passed on to the concerned AR, it alleged.

Had the security forces rushed to the spot, Kshetrimayum Sushil who was injured could have survived, it further said.

The AITUC also pointed out that when MPA cadres of Pambei-led UNLF were present in the area, no untoward incident had occurred.

But the incident happened after the Government removed them and replaced them with AR.

Therefore, the Government should bear responsibility.

If it cannot, it is better to resign.

Handing over charge to those who can will be a more humane step, the AITUC added.

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