While it is not making it to mainstream media news anymore, the bloody violence is Manipur has still not died down, and the Kuki versus Meitei war in the state is taking a heavy toll on human life and property. What started off because of the Kuki tribals opposing the Meitei people’s demand to be included in the ST category because of the demographic structure of the state getting subverted due to the illegal immigration of Rohingyas and Kuki people from Myanmar; has turned into a gory communal battle between the two communities.
The violence in the state has resulted in deaths which were horrible as some were lynched by mobs, while others were killed by cutlasses. Many were shot with guns, and others were burned alive, and women were raped.
It has also been known that near Motbung, the Kuki people have set up bunkers for their youth and their militant outfits, in order to be ready in case the Meitei people attack them, and similar preparations have been made by the Meitei people as well. On the other hand, the Kuki militant outfits have asked for donations from people across all the Gorkha villages around Kangpokpi district.
And while the Kuki outfits are asking them for food and money, if anyone denies, they are warned and intimidated at gunpoint. On Monday, the Kuki people were seen travelling in large numbers in various vehicles like trucks, buses, cars, and army vehicles, on National Highway 2, escorted by the Indian army, towards Kangpokpi, to keep them safe from Meitei attacks.
It is important to be noted at this point that many of these Kuki people who are involved in the violence are illegal immigrants coming from Myanmar to Manipur via Moreh and are now settled in the hill districts of Manipur.
On Wednesday, the Kuki militants were seen, around the Saikul area, demanding 15 tins of paddy from each house, and the militants were also monitoring the people’s phones. On Thursday, firing between a Kuki militant outfit and the Assam Rifles took place as well, and Kuki militants have been killed.
The newest development in the scenario is that the Kuki people have now started with an economic blockade in the hills now, so that essential supplies do not reach the Meitei people in the valley region. All the Kuki youth can be seen yielding swords, spears, catapults, and guns. These armed groups have also been seen blocking the army trucks from moving ahead on National Highway 2.
