Justice demanded for Sarat, Kuki attacks continue
Source: Chronicle News Service
Jiribam, June 28 2024:
Armed Kuki militants are continuing to target properties of displaced Meetei in Jiribam district with security forces unable to contain such activities, which could deepen the crisis.
In a latest incident, a house and a farmhouse in Borobekra sub-division of the district were damaged and later burned down into ashes by Kuki militants using explosive materials.
The incident took place in the wee hours Thursday in Jakuradhor Part 2 under Borobekra sub-division of the border district.
The targeted house belonged to one Heisnam Premchand, currently staying in a relief camp in Jiri town.
The farmhouse located in Jatrapur Part 3 belonged to Shamurailatpam Shitaljit Sharma of Sorok Atingbi.
Meanwhile, local Meira Paibi members of Hilghat and Kamaranga areas organised a sit-in protest at Sorok Atingbi Hilghat community hall demanding justice for Soibam Sarat, who was killed by Kuki militants on June 6 .
The situation in Jiribam escalated after his mutilated body was discovered later that day.
During the protest, participants held placards with slogans like 'Why no arrest of the culprits responsible for the murder of Sarat', 'Go Back Kuki Refugee', 'Condemns government's silence on Sarat murder case', 'No compromise to Manipur's territory', 'Justice for S Saratkumar', and 'No Separate Administration' .
For over a year, Jiribam managed to maintain a fragile peace through negotiations and formation of a peace committee, despite sporadic incidents of random gun-firing by Kuki militants.
However, this tenuous calm was shattered on June 6 when a Meetei farmer was brutally killed by Kuki militants.
His mutilated body was discovered later that evening.
Since that day, daily attacks by armed Kuki militants plagued the Meetei villages, with houses being targeted and burned using explosive materials.
So far, the relentless assaults of Kuki militants have resulted in the destruction of houses in five villages, as well as the loss of two police check posts, a forest beat office, a guesthouse and a farmhouse.
Arson attacks by Kuki militants in Meetei villages located away from Jiri town continued unabated, with no intervention from either the state or the Central forces deployed in the district.