JAL condemns Hmar Inpui for accusing Meetei community
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, June 30 2024:
The Jiri Apunba Lup (JAL) has strongly condemned recent allegations levelled by Hmar Inpui, accusing Meetei community of arson, looting, and violence.
JAL vehemently denied these charges, highlighting the commitment of Meetei community to maintaining peace and tranquillity in the district despite ongoing provocations.
In a statement, JAL informed that the conflict in Jiribam has its roots in a series of violent incidents that erupted on May 3, 2023.On that day, Several parts of Manipur witnessed killings, looting, and arson, with many houses burned down.
Despite these widespread incidents, the people of Jiribam managed to live peacefully, ensuring free movement of the Kuki-Zo-Hmar community within the district, even though Meetei individuals have reportedly been restricted from entering or passing through certain villages.
JAL accused armed militants from the Hmar and Kuki-Zo groups of multiple attacks in Meetei-inhabited areas, particularly in the Borobekra circle.
These attacks were carried out using sophisticated weapons, including TEDs (Timed Explosive Devices), which provoked the Meetei community.
Despite these provocations, the Meetei people have largely maintained peace, till June 6, 2024 when one Soibam Sarat Singh, a Meitei farmer from Gularthol, was kidnapped and brutally murdered by Kuki-Zo-Hmar militant groups in Phaitol Pt-1, a Kuki-inhabited area.
This incident has further heightened tensions and highlighted the ongoing threats faced by the Meetei community, especially those living in isolated regions such as Borobekra, Mongbung, Leisabithol, Babukhal, and Leingangpokpi.
Since the violence broke out in Churachandpur, Meetei villagers in these isolated areas have been receiving threats from Kuki-Zo-Hmar militants.
As a result, many have sought refuge in relief camps in Jiribam.
The continuous threats, killings, looting, and arson by the Kuki-Zo-Hmar militants, often disguised as village volunteers, have disrupted the peace in Jiribam, the statement said.
They urged the Hmar Inpui to consider the extensive damage inflicted on Meetei properties, including thousands of houses and temples burned down, looted, and bulldozed in Churachandpur.
They highlighted that several Meetei houses in Borobekra and Babukhal areas have also been attacked and destroyed using bombs by Kuki-Zo-Hmar militants.
Furthermore, many police outposts in remote areas of Jiribam, including Jirimukh, Chhotobekra, Leingangpokpi, Makha Basti, and Leishabithol, have been burned down by these militants.
On June 19, 2024, militants set ablaze a police check post in Leingangpokpi, a site that had been targeted by drug traffickers since its establishment.
The narco-terrorists attacked the post multiple times using guns and bombs before finally setting it on fire.
They even opened fire at unarmed fire brigade personnel damaging the water tanker further endangering the lives of those trying to control the blaze.
The statement then issued a stern warning to the Hmar Inpui against creating and spreading malicious statements and narratives that falsely accuse the peace-loving Meetei community.
They emphasised that such actions could mislead innocent people and escalate the conflict further.