JAL refutes arson charges, condemns attacks
Source: Chronicle News Service

Jiribam, October 19 2024: Jiri Apunba Lup (JAL) has strongly denied the allegations levelled by several Kuki-Zo-Hmar civil society organisations, including the Hmar Village Volunteers (HVV), Pherzawl and Jiribam district Kuki Inpi, and the Indigenous Tribal Affairs Council (ITAC), accusing the Meetei community of involving in the burning of Blooming Flower Foundation School in Kalinagar on October 18 .

The Lup rejected the allegations, claiming they were made without evidence and are aimed at defaming the Meetei community.

In a statement, the JAL stated that the Meitei community had no connection to the arson incident at the school, calling the accusations "completely unacceptable" .

It also condemned those responsible for the attack, while asserting that the Meetei community has historically been a peace-loving group that has co-existed harmoniously with other communities in the state for many years.

The Lup recalled the violence that erupted on May 3, 2023, between the Meetei community and the "illegal immigrants" from the Chin-Kuki community, accusing the latter of engaging in terrorist activities and seeking the creation of a separate Kukiland or Union Territory.

According to JAL, the ongoing conflict spread to Jiribam despite the efforts of a peace committee to maintain calm between the two communities.

JAL also accused Kuki-Zo-Hmar extremist groups of committing numerous violent acts during the period of peace in Jiribam.

It cited incidents such as the mental torture of a Meetei girl in Borobekra, the beating of a worker near Keiphundai village, and the bombing of a shop in Lamtai Khunou and emphasised that despite these provocations, the Meetei community remained largely silent in the interest of peace.

The Lup, however, acknowledged that unknown miscreants had retaliated by burning down and vandalising abandoned houses belonging to Kuki-Zo-Hmar individuals after the brutal murder of S Saratkumar Singh, an innocent farmer from Gularthol.

According to JAL, this killing, committed by Kuki-Zo-Hmar militants, was the direct trigger for the escalation of clashes in Jiribam.

JAL also highlighted other atrocities committed by Kuki militants, including the murder of Y Kulendra Singh, a villager who was killed in his bed, and the destruction of 80 houses in Jiribam and Borobekra subdivisions.

The Lup expressed deep concern over the quit notice issued by the Hmar Village Volunteers on Friday, warning Meetei residents and security forces to vacate the Barak Circle before sunset.

"This warning was followed by a massive attack on the Borobekra police station the next morning, on Saturday, at around 5:50 am.

Kuki militants used guns and bombs during the attack, damaging shops and houses.

Calling the attack as a blatant violation of the law and a serious threat to peace and order in the district, JAL called on law enforcement agencies to take immediate action against the members of the Kuki-Zo-Hmar armed groups and civil society organisations responsible for these illegal activities.

It stressed the need for accountability and protection for the Meetei community, especially in the wake of escalating violence in Jiribam.

The Lup reiterated the Meetei community's commitment to peace, citing the example of Uchathol Meetei village and Yairolpokpi Hmar village, where both communities have lived together peacefully.

"But despite this, continued attacks and unfounded accusations could further destabilise the situation in the district," the statement warned.

Comment