Effigies burnt
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, October 20 2026: Protesting the killing of three Meitei civilians who had gone to collect firewood by Kuki militants at Sunurok Uyok, Khongbal Tangkhul, residents of Uyumpok, Nongshum and Khongbal Tangkhul burnt the effigies of Chief Minister Y Khemchand, Deputy Chief Minister Nemcha Kipgen, Home Minister Govindas Konthoujam and Rajya Sabha MP A Sharda Devi at Uyumpok Mamang Leikai today.

While burning the effigies, the protesters raised slogans demanding the resignation of the Chief Minister, the Deputy Chief Minister, the Home Minister and the Rajya Sabha MP .

They also blocked the road by placing tree branches and other objects on it.

The protesters asserted that the Chief Minister must step down, alleging that he had failed to protect lives.

They also claimed that Thangboi Kipgen, husband of Deputy Chief Minister Nemcha Kipgen is the leader of KNF-P, which has been conspiring to disintegrate Manipur.

They also resolved not to claim the bodies of the three deceased, Arubam Robil, Lairenlakpam Inaobi and Kshetrimayum Sushil, until all the perpetrators are arrested.

Uyumpok Mamang Leikai Development Committee joint secretary Laishram Ningthem claimed that the people of the area strongly condemned the premeditated attack by Kuki militants on a group of firewood collectors at Sunurok Uyok, Khongbal Tangkhul, yesterday, which resulted in the deaths of the three civilians.

Addressing a press meet at Uyumpok Mamang Leikai, Ningthem claimed that a camp of the 35 Assam Rifles is located not far from the site of the incident.

The Assam Rifles personnel could have arrested the assailants had they acted in time, he said.

He urged the Government to remove the 35 Assam Rifles camp and deploy State security forces in its place.

Ningthem claimed that Assam Rifles personnel reached the ambush site around an hour after the incident.

He further alleged that the Assam Rifles personnel moved behind local residents while proceeding to the ambush site, condemning the alleged conduct of the force.

Ningthem questioned whether the Kuki militants had conspired with the Assam Rifles to carry out the attack.

He further said that the Government had removed the camp of the Pambei-led UNLF from Nongshum on the grounds that peace had returned to the area.

Stating that Nongshum, Khamenlok, Uyumpok and Dolaithabi are among the places severely affected by the violent campaign of Kuki militants, he added that they were able to visit their fields and live with some sense of security when cadres of the Pambei-led UNLF were stationed in the area.

He alleged that yesterday's attack occurred because the Government had failed to provide adequate security to residents following the removal of the Pambei-led UNLF camp from the area.

Claiming that the Government has been turning a blind eye to various atrocities committed by Kuki militants under the Suspension of Operations (SoO) pact, Ningthem maintained that the people of Manipur should not place their faith in the Government.

Even as the Government claims that peace is returning to Manipur, Kuki militants continue to act with impunity, he alleged.

Saying that the financial condition of people living in foothill areas is very poor, he said that most of them still rely on firewood for cooking as they could not afford to buy cooking gas.

Ningthem questioned whether the Government is waiting for more people to die and whether it intends to merely issue condemnations whenever civilians are killed in armed attacks.

Claiming that Kuki groups have constructed a road connecting Chanung in Imphal East district to the Sinai camp of a SoO group, he added that poppy is also being cultivated along the roadside, but the Government has turned a blind eye to it.

Sanasam Sunanda, secretary of the Nupi Lamjing Lup of Uyumpok Mamang Leikai, said that the villagers had gone to collect firewood yesterday after obtaining permission from the Assam Rifles personnel stationed in the area and residents of Khongbal Tangkhul who own the land.

She urged the Government to launch a military crackdown on the Sinai camp.

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