Fresh tension in Manipur as IDP settlement comes under attack

Fresh tensions erupted in the valley districts of restive Manipur after firing and bombing in fringe area of Bishnupur district adjoining Churachandpur district. Security forces on Wednesday also recovered three unexploded bombs during a follow-up search operation.
Hinting that Kukis were behind Tuesday’s firing and bombing incident at Torbung area of Bishnupur, Kuki-Zo Council (KZC) justified the action. In response, Coordination Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI) strongly reacted and filed a police complaint against the leaders of the council (KZC).
At around 8.30 pm on December 16, Meitei settlements at Torbung, Kangvai, and Phougakchao Ikhai came under heavy attack by suspected armed Kuki assailants who fired dozens of rounds, including bombs.
The firing and bombing ceased only after the security forces from nearby security posts rushed to the area and returned fire with some rounds.
No casualty was reported in the attack even as displaced villagers of the areas have resettled recently.
In a follow-up search operation in the area on Wednesday, the security forces recovered three live bombs. They also found big pitches created by the impacts of the bomb explosions nearby the residential areas.
The fresh attack that came after a long gap triggered fresh tensions across the valley districts where many staged protests against the alleged failure of the state administration under President Rule to maintain peace and tranquility.
The fresh tension also forced the closure of almost all the schools and colleges across the valley districts, many of them cancelling scheduled final exams.
The fresh attack also created a chaotic situation in the Khwairamband area where women vendors of all-women-run markets suspended their business of the day and protested on the streets demanding befitting action against attackers to ensure fool proof security for the civilians and their properties.
At the New Chekon area of Imphal East district, womenfolk along with internally displaced persons (IDPs) staged a road blockade, protesting the firing incident.
The protesters alleged that the firing was carried out by Kuki militants and demanded accountability and strict action against those responsible.
Traffic movement along the stretch was disrupted for some time due to the protest.
Amid the fresh tensions, Kuki-Zo Council (KZC) came up with a statement justifying yesterday’s firing incident in Torbung area.
The statement signed by KZC information and publicity secretary that widely circulated on the internet, blamed the Bishnupur district deputy commissioner for initiating the resettlement of Meitei IDPs in the “Torbung buffer zone” terming the move irresponsible and provocative.
The KZC also asked the Bishnupur DC to take responsibility and roll back the resettlement in the volatile area to avoid further escalation.
It said the sensitive administration would have avoided resettlement in such a volatile area, adding that allowing Meitei IDPs to resettle in the buffer zone amounts to inviting renewed conflict.
Meanwhile, Coordination Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI) strongly condemned the latest firing and bombing incident, terming it as an attack to terrorise innocent civilians that amounted to a grave violation of constitutional rights.
In a statement, COCOMI said that the indiscriminate firing and explosive attacks in civilian areas created widespread fear and posed a serious threat to lives and public safety.
The organisation asserted that such violence directly violates the Right to Life and Personal Liberty guaranteed under Article 21 of the Constitution of India and undermines democratic governance and the rule of law.
COCOMI also expressed serious concern over a public statement allegedly made by Kuki-Zo Council leader Ginza Vualzong, which it claimed justified and rationalized the attack and could incite further violence.
It said that public defence of armed violence is an affront to constitutional values and may amount to criminal incitement under Indian law. Highlighting provisions of the IPC, UAPA, Arms Act, and Explosive Substances Act, COCOMI demanded immediate registration of FIRs, a senior-level or special investigation, strict action against public incitement, reinforcement of security in vulnerable areas including Torbung and Kangvai, and a time-bound action taken report.
The COCOMI warned that failure to act decisively would erode public trust and embolden further violence.
Many CSOs and political parties also condemned the fresh attack.
Among others, the National People’s Party (NPP), while strongly condemning the attack on civilians at Torbung, described the attack as a grave violation of peace and security, particularly targeting innocent civilians.
In a statement signed by NPP president Dr Lorho Pfoz, the party urged the authorities to take swift and decisive action against those responsible and ensure adequate security measures to protect the lives and property of the people.