Renewed violence in Manipur as 3 members of Kuki community killed

Ukhrul SP said that the security measures have been beefed up and joint operations by state police and the Indian Army are underway to nab those involved.

Updated on: Aug 18, 2023, 10:46:25 IST

By Utpal Parashar

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Armed miscreants gunned down three members from the Kuki community in Manipur’s Ukhrul district on Friday morning, officials confirmed.

According to police, the incident took place around 4:30am at Thouwai Kuki, a village inhabited by Kuki tribals. (AFP file photo)

According to police, the incident took place around 4:30am at Thouwai Kuki, a village inhabited by Kuki tribals, located around 47km from Ukhrul town, the headquarters of the district, which is dominated by Tangkhuls, a Naga tribe.

“According to our information, a group of armed miscreants approached the village from the hills located to the east of the village and started firing at village guards. Three people from the village have been killed in the incident. There are no reports of any injuries,” said N Vashum, superintendent of police (SP), Ukhrul, confirmed.

Also Read: Manipur violence: Kuki MLAs seek posts similar to DGP, chief secretary

Following the incident, the SP said that the security measures have been beefed up and joint operations by state police and the Indian Army are underway to nab those involved.

On August 5, five persons, three Meiteis and two Kukis, were killed in separate incidents of shooting between the two communities at Bishnupur and Churachandpur districts.

Clashes in Manipur first broke out on May 3 in Churachandpur town after Kuki groups called for protests against a proposed tweak to the state’s reservation matrix, granting scheduled tribe (ST) status to the Meitei community.

Violence quickly engulfed the state where ethnic fault lines run deep, displacing tens of thousands of people who fled burning homes and neighbourhoods into jungles, often across state borders.

The clashes have claimed over 160 lives and displaced around 50,000.

Meiteis account for nearly 53% of the state population while Kukis comprise around 16%.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Utpal Parashar
A seasoned senior journalist, I have nearly three decades of experience across print, digital, and online platforms, covering political transitions, insurgencies, environmental issues, and development stories in India and Nepal. I am skilled in breaking news, leading editorial teams and launch of newspaper editions. I am adept at leveraging digital trends and social media to expand global reach, with a strong ethical foundation and a reputation for impactful journalism. An alumnus of Asian College of Journalism, I joined Hindustan Times in New Delhi as a trainee reporter in May 1997. Over the years, I have been posted in Dehradun, Kathmandu (Nepal) and Guwahati. Currently, as Senior Assistant Editor at Hindustan Times, I lead a team reporting on India’s northeastern states. My work involves in-depth analysis, and engaging multimedia storytelling across formats, including text, photo, video, and interactive content. I am skilled in producing timely, shareable content, leveraging digital platforms and social media to engage global audiences. Throughout my career with the Hindustan Times, I have led diverse editorial teams, designed capacity-building activities, and supported reporters in developing strong story ideas, ethical reporting practices, digital skills, and fact-checking techniques. As Senior Assistant Editor for Northeast India, I have been responsible for guiding correspondents through complex political, humanitarian, and community-level stories using multimedia formats. Earlier, as Foreign Correspondent in Nepal, I produced extensive reporting during Nepal’s democratic transition and the 2015 earthquake and its aftermath.Read More

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