The ongoing ethnic violence in Manipur claimed five more lives, 3 from Meitei Community and 2 Kukis on Friday night, as unidentified gunmen attacked a Meitei family in Kwakta Lamkhai village in Bishnupur district. The assailants, suspected to be Kuki militants, shot dead a father and his son while they were sleeping and later hacked them with swords. Others were killed in separate incident in the same village.
According to the police, the deceased father-son duo were identified as Thokchom Ramesh Singh (55) and Thokchom Rajesh Singh (25). They were sleeping in their house when a group of armed men barged in and opened fire at them. The attackers then chopped off their heads and limbs with swords and left them in a pool of blood. The police recovered two empty cartridges of AK-47 rifles from the spot.
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The third victim was identified as Khundrakpam Ratan Singh (40), who was also shot dead by the gunmen in another house in the same village. The police said that Ratan Singh was a relative of Ramesh Singh and had come to visit him. He was also sleeping when he was killed.
The police suspect that the attack was carried out by Kuki militants who have been involved in a series of violent incidents against the Meitei community in the past few months. The violence erupted in May after the Manipur High Court ordered the state government to send a recommendation to the central government for granting Scheduled Tribe status to the Meitei community, a demand opposed by the Kuki community who fear losing their land and rights.
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Since then, more than 180 people have been killed and over 300 injured in clashes between the two communities. More than 60,000 people have been displaced and hundreds of houses, churches and temples have been torched or vandalized. The violence has also taken a toll on women, as several cases of rape, molestation and humiliation have been reported.
The state government has deployed security forces and imposed curfew and prohibitory orders in several areas to contain the situation. A peace committee has been formed under the governor and security advisor to initiate dialogue between the warring groups. A judicial inquiry has also been ordered to probe the incidents of violence.
However, the situation remains tense and volatile, as both sides accuse each other of atrocities and violations. The Meitei community has alleged that the Kuki militants are supported by some political parties and armed groups from neighbouring states and countries. The Kuki community has alleged that the Meitei-dominated state government is biased and oppressive towards them.
The violence has also affected the normal life and economy of the state, as schools, colleges, markets and transport services have been disrupted. Several civil society organisations and human rights groups have appealed for peace and harmony among the communities and urged the central and state governments to intervene and resolve the issue amicably.
