The recent clash between security forces and a mob of Kuki-Zo women in Manipur's Kangpokpi district has escalated tensions in the already strife-torn state.
This incident, which occurred on Tuesday in the village of Uyokching near Thamnapokpi, involved a group of women attempting to disrupt the deployment of a joint security team comprising the Army, BSF, and CRPF.
The situation prompted the security forces to take action, dispersing the crowd with minimal force. Authorities later confirmed that the situation had been brought under control and was peaceful.
The security forces were deployed in the area as part of efforts to dominate the region and prevent any further incidents. However, locals reported that the intervention led to several injuries, particularly in the nearby Saibol village in Twiching, which lies in the disputed "buffer zone" between the Kuki-held hills and the Meitei-dominated Imphal Valley.
The women, who had gathered to protest, accused the security personnel of forcefully occupying their community bunkers. Tensions further escalated when the forces used tear gas to disperse the protesters, a move that Kuki leaders described as a heavy-handed approach.
One protester, recalling the scene, said it felt like a battlefield. The women had gathered to express their concerns, but instead faced what they described as military tactics.
The Committee on Tribal Unity (CoTU), which represents the Kuki community, responded by blocking the National Highway 2, an important road linking the region to the rest of the country.
This blockade is expected to cause significant disruption, particularly affecting the supply of goods to the Meitei areas in Imphal Valley.
The incident has sparked outrage, especially as it occurred during the festive Christmas-New Year period. The Women's Wing of the Indigenous Tribal Leaders' Forum (ITLF) expressed deep concern, calling the actions of the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) as deeply distressing and traumatising for the community.
The ITLF also stated that the CAPF’s actions, which included the physical assault and molestation of Kuki women, further wounded the sentiments of the Kuki-Zo community.
The women reported that security forces tore their clothing and used excessive force, including lathi charges and tear gas, against unarmed protesters. This incident, they argued, has brought unnecessary fear and suffering to their community during a time traditionally associated with peace and celebration.
The Kuki Women Organisation for Human Rights (KWOHR) also condemned the actions of the security forces, alleging that they targeted women peacefully protesting the violence perpetrated by the opposing community.
They stated that instead of restoring peace, the forces’ actions have worsened the situation, increasing the community's sense of insecurity. The KWOHR highlighted that such violence, particularly against unarmed women, undermines the role of the forces in maintaining peace and security in the region.
Their statement also accused the forces of neglecting their duty to protect the Kuki-Zo community, especially in the context of ongoing violence between the Kuki and Meitei communities.
This recent clash is another chapter in the long-standing ethnic violence in Manipur, which has claimed the lives of over 250 people and displaced thousands since May of the previous year.
The ongoing tensions have left deep scars on both communities, with significant distrust between them and the authorities. Many Kuki leaders have questioned the ability of the central forces to effectively manage the volatile situation in the buffer zones and prevent further attacks from the Meitei community.
Follow us
