Days ahead of Home Minister Amit Shah’s visit to violence hit Manipur, fresh violence erupted in several parts of the state after alleged Kuki militants carrying sophisticated weapons set fire to many houses in Serou and Suguna area.
As per reports, an encounter between state forces and Kuki militants is still underway with three civilians reported injured in Serou area.
Reports also emerged of houses being burned near the foothills of Sekmai ( Around 10-KM North to Imphal), intensifying the fear and anguish felt by the local population.
Meanwhile, an angry mob stormed into BJP MLA K Raghumani’s house. Reportedly, Meitei houses in Serou, Sugnu, Tangjeng, Terakhongsangbi, Sekmai were allegedly set ablaze by Kuki militants last night.
Earlier in the day, CDS General Anil Chauhan on Tuesday said that the situation in Manipur is nothing to do with counter-insurgency and is primarily a clash between two ethnicities, reported ANI.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah who is on a mission to restore peace in strife-torn Manipur, will hold a series of meetings today with political and civil society leaders from both the Meitei and Kuki communities.
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders and workers in Manipur have expressed deep concerns over the increasing violence, stating that they are not safe anymore in Manipur.
The alarming situation was brought to the attention of the visiting Minister of State (Home), Nityanand Rai, and BJP National Spokesperson Sambit Patra by Paokam Haokip, the BJP Manipur State Secretary.
Haokip specifically pointed out that even BJP leaders and workers belonging to the Kuki community face grave risks while carrying out their duties.
Expressing his disappointment, Haokip lamented that even the party’s president and the Chief Minister have been unable to ensure their safety.
Citing his own personal experience, Haokip revealed that as the state secretary, he narrowly escaped an attempt on his life, further highlighting the gravity of the situation.
During the meeting with Home Minister Amit Shah and other central leaders, Haokip urged to consider alternative arrangements, such as establishing a separate administration, to ensure the peaceful functioning of BJP leaders and workers from the Kuki community. He also expressed his belief that invoking Article 356, which pertains to the imposition of President’s Rule, could address half of the problems and pave the way for initiating the peace process.
BJP MLA Rajkumar Imo Singh, addressing the gathering, pledged to resign from his position if necessary to bring about lasting peace in the region.
