The Kuki Inpi and other civil societies of Jiribam and Tamenglong have vehemently condemned the alleged indiscriminate firing upon villagers and village volunteers of Phaitol village, Tamenglong.
President Kuki Inpi, JTN, Jangminthang Singson; chairman, Kuki Chief Association, Tousem Block, Khupneh Dimngel; president, Kuki Inpi, Women Wing JTN, Boisy Simngson and president, Kuki Student Organisation, J&T, Paominngam Haokip, in a joint release claimed that Jiribam has been at peace since the beginning of Manipur ethnic crisis since May 3, 2023 with the initiative of Assam Rifles, District Administrative heads of both Jiribam and Tamenglong, Kuki CSOs and other CSOs of Jiribam.
It stated that all the peace initiative was shattered to pieces when a young boy was allegedly murdered and all Kuki Zo villages and localities in Jiribam town were burned down. The hidden agenda of CM Biren of smuggling militants and their supplies on the pretext of visiting Jiribam was ex-posed on Wednesday night when combined forces of Manipur Police commandos and militants indiscriminately attacked and fired upon Phaitol villagers and their village volunteers, it accused.
It maintained that the Joint Kuki Civil Societies of Jiribam and Tamenglong, as per agreement with district authorities of both Jiribam and Tamenglong, suspended the bandh on NH-37 for two days as per their request. It lamented that their charter of demands has not been fulfilled till date.
It reiterated the demands made by the Kuki Inpi Jiribam, Tamenglong & Noney, Kuki Inpi, Women Wing, JTN, Kuki Student Organisation, Jiri and Tamenglong, Kuki Chief Association, Tousem Block which include to immediately lift blockade of highways by mobs and Meira Paibis in Jiribam town and ensure free accessibility of medical and essential commodities to every community.
It further demanded the authorities concerned to take responsibility of finding missing Thianmuang, 40 years, son of Late Luai am Vengnuam from Dibong khunou, Jiribam who was allegedly abducted from his house and to book and remove militants from Jiribam and surrounding areas. The Kuki CSOs of Jiribam and Tamenglong have taken a resolute stand to impose economic blockade on NH-37 indefinitely till their demands are fulfilled by the government, it stated.
