Killing of children, women, student condemned
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, November 18 2024: Different civil society organisations continue to condemn the abduction and brutal murder of children and women by suspected Kuki-Hmar militants in Jiribam district.

In a release, Inpui Naga Union president Merachao Inka denounced the murder of three women and three children, including an eight-month-old baby, as an act of barbarity that has no place in a civilised society, while expressing profound sorrow and solidarity with the grieving families of the victims.

"The cowardly act is a grave violation of human rights and the values of peace and humanity that we hold dear," the president said, while decrying the failure of both the central and state governments to contain the deteriorating law and order situation in the state.

Merachao said that despite the conflict persisting for over one and a half years, the government remains inept to effectively address the violence, risking innocent lives.

Describing it as "unacceptable", he noted that the apathy and inaction of the authorities have exacerbated the sufferings of the people and deepened divisions among communities.

The Union then appealed to both Meetei and Kuki communities, to cease hostilities immediately and urged leaders from both sides to engage in dialogue and work towards restoring peace, trust, and harmony in the state.

Joining the condemnation chorus, Yelhoumee Yaipha Chaokhat Lup, Langthabal held Kuki refugees responsible for the attacks on the indigenous people of Manipur since May 3, 2023.It also alleged that the ten Kuki MLAs and Kuki civil society organisations incited abduction and killing of women and children, and demanded their arrest and punitive action according to law of the land.

The Lup also demanded befitting action against the person involved in killing of a student in Jiribam district on Sunday.

Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) Manipur also vehemently condemned the brutal killings of the six abducted individuals, and decried burning of houses by armed militants, and attacks on police and CRPF personnel in Jiribam district.

In a release, ABVP Manipur stated that the abduction and murder of six civilians, including three children, defies even the most basic humanitarian principles, where women and children are traditionally spared.

"We believe timely intervention could have saved the six lives.

The authorities concerned have failed in their duties, and both state and central governments have failed to ensure the safety and normalcy in Manipur," it rued.

The students' body also demanded immediate actions to restore peace and order, protect innocent civilians and accountability for the failed response, while expressing shock over the destruction of properties belonging to democratically elected leaders by enraged mobs.

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