Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh has condemned the alleged attack on the family members of BJP spokesperson Michael Lamjathang Haokip by armed assailants.
Alleged armed Kuki assailants vandalized and fired at the residence of Michael Lamjathang Haokip of Phailen village in Churachandpur district at around 11 pm on Sunday.
The chief minister, in his official X post, stated that the attack carried out on the family members of Michael Lamjathang Haokip by vandalizing his house was an act of cowardice.
Sources reported that the attack occurred after he participated as a panelist on a local TV channel, during which he expressed his views and opinions on the topic ‘Kuki Supremacy and their Propaganda.’
In connection with the incident, CM Biren posted on his X account: “The attack carried out on the family members of Michael Lamjathang, a leader of the Thadou community—one of the oldest among the ethnic tribes of Manipur—and a BJP spokesperson, by vandalizing his house, was an act of cowardice.”
“I consider this personal harm inflicted on one of our recognized tribes as a direct challenge to the unity and integrity of the State. Attacks on any particular community among the recognized tribes of Manipur, as well as the attack on the family of the BJP spokesperson, are condemned in the strongest terms. We will initiate appropriate legal action against the culprits.”
When contacted, BJP spokesperson Michael Lamjathang, who is also a leader of the Thadou community, said over the phone that he does not oppose the Kuki demand for a separate administration. The Thadou community is one of the various ethnic communities of Manipur but does not belong to the Kuki community, he added.
“Violence is between the Meitei and Kuki communities, not with the Thadou community. We are not in the fight; we respect all communities. We should show respect, as many communities are living in Manipur like a Mini India,” said Michael Lamjathang. He said, “To solve the insurgency issue in the state, it cannot be handled by focusing on a single militant group; it should be addressed holistically,” adding that until that time, we should not fight each other.
Violence will not bring a solution and peace; it should be solved democratically, he asserted.
“If I say I am Thadou, what is wrong with identifying my identity as Thadou? Did I oppose the Kuki’s demand for a separate administration? No, I didn’t. Then why did they attack my innocent family?” he asked.
“If there is anything to discuss, let’s have an open dialogue or discussion. Why did they attack my family?” Michael Lamjathang said.
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