Imphal: Fresh waves of violence have once again rocked Manipur, erupting early on August 5. Startling reports indicate that armed miscreants brutally hacked three villagers to death as they slept in Bishnupur district’s Kwakta village. It is believed that suspected Kuki militants as the perpetrators behind this heinous act.
Tragically, the victims, hailing from the Meitei community, have been identified as Yumnam Jiten Meitei (46), Yumnam Pishak Meitei (67), and Yumnam Premkumar Meitei (39), all residents of Kwakta Lamkhai. In the dark hours of August 5, these innocent villagers fell victim to an indiscriminate attack by suspected Kuki militants, who launched a surprise assault on Kwakta village. The assailants, after mercilessly taking their lives, proceeded to set several homes ablaze, plunging the village into chaos and despair.
Reports reveal that the militants breached the buffer zone established by security forces, violating the sanctity of the security perimeter by launching their brutal assault within the district of Bishnupur, a mere 2 kilometers from the village.
Meanwhile, the Manipur State Cabinet has made a recommendation to the Governor of Manipur to convene the 4th session of the 12th Manipur Legislative Assembly on August 21, 2023. This move comes as civil society organisations within the state advocate for a special assembly session to address the ongoing crisis.
The roots of this recent clash can be traced back to May 3, when tribal student unions initiated protests against a high court decision proposing scheduled tribe (ST) status for the Meitei community. The continuing violence has exacted a heavy toll, claiming the lives of at least 150 individuals and displacing over 60,000 residents within the northeastern state.
Regrettably, the resulting violence has also inflicted destruction on the homes of the Kuki community. The buffer zone, previously deemed a secure space, found itself breached as the Kwakta area bore witness to yet another devastating episode of violence. A prior incident had already left 17 members of the Meitei community injured in clashes between armed forces and community protesters in Bishnupur.
As authorities grapple with the aftermath of these clashes, curfew relaxations previously announced in Imphal East and Imphal West have been rescinded.
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