UNHRC Urges India to Protect Babloo
The United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) on October 6 urged the authorities to protect the family of Manipur-based human rights activist Babloo Loitongbam whose house, Office of the Human Rights Alert (HRA) at his house at Kwakeithel Thiyam Leikai in Imphal West and properties including his car were vandalised by a group of about 30 unidentified miscreants who came in two Gypsies on October 5 at around 6pm.
Taking to X (Twiter), the UNHRC tagging India and Manipur wrote, “We are alarmed by threats to human rights defender Babloo Loitongbam by Meitei Leepun and Arambai Tengol groups in Manipur for speaking out on inter-communal violence since May. We urge the authorities to protect him, his family and home. And hold perpetrators accountable.”
Apart from breaking the car of the human rights activist, the miscreants vandalised HRA office properties, the door, windows of his house in which he is still staying. The mob before immediately fleeing from the spot also took away the CCTV Cameras and the footage and got in scuffle with locals who tried to stop the attack. After the incident, a team of Lamphel Police station rushed to the spot for spot enquiry. Babloo Loitongbam was out of station when the incident took place.
Earlier, on the day of the attack, the Meitei Leepun declared banning human rights activist Babloo Loitongbam and former Manipur Police officer Thounaojam Brinda from speaking in public.
As the miscreants demanded, Babloo Loitongbam tendered his apology through a videoclip posted on his Facebook page in late hours of the attack.
10 State Opposition Parties to Work for Crisis Solution
A convention of the 10 like-minded political parties on the Manipur crisis on Thursday (October 5) unanimously resolved to work together in Manipur to find a solution. In the convention held at Sangai Hall, Hotel Imphal, the parties observed that the silence of the Prime Minister of India to the crisis in Manipur and staying away from Manipur since the outbreak of the ethnic violence has disappointed people of Manipur.
The convention declared that all crimes committed during the ethnic violence committed against women, children, aged, students and youths should be investigated promptly without any discrimination.
“We will protest in different parts of the state on issues of public concern and importance. We demand the government to talk to the stakeholders for an amicable settlement and solution for lasting peace and harmony in Manipur. We are willing to engage and support any initiative in the peace process. Our unity is our strength. We will work together hand in hand for a change in Manipur,” the convention declared.
After the convention, former Chief Minister and Congress Legislature Party (CLP) leader Okram Ibobi told the media that democracy needs to be strengthened or else the people might face a dictatorial form of government.
The 10 political parties include representatives from Manipur Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC), Janata Dal (United), Communist Party of India (CPI), Communist Party of India (Marxist), All India Trinamool Congress (AITC), Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), All India Forward Bloc (AIFB), Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), Shiv Sena (UBT), and the Revolutionary Socialist Party (RSP), Manipur.
Former MLAs Claim Double-Engine Govt Failed
As many as eight former MLAs of Manipur Legislative Assembly and ministers on October 4 lambasted the double-engine Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government for allegedly failing to mete out double power measures to safeguard the territorial, administrative and emotional integrity of Manipur.
The eight former legislatures rebuked Chief Minister Nongthombam Biren for “despicably failing to take any decisive measures and steering the state into a constitutional crisis.”
They further alleged that the Centre was only concerned about the 2024 Lok Sabha election and least bit interested in the Manipur turmoil.
Speaking to the media at Manipur Press Club, veteran politician Okram Joy alleged the Centre of meting out step motherly treatment to Manipur and violating all democratic ethos and principles by keeping the conflict stoked.
“The Centre should initiate measures for a long term peaceful settlement by setting up a negotiation platform but till now no concrete steps have been witnessed in this regard,” he said.
“Will the Prime Minister or Home Minister remain silent if such an MP placed the demand for separation from the country on the floor of the parliament?” he asked.
Former MLA of Wangkhem Nimaichand Luwang, former MLA of Naoriya Pakhanglakpa RK Anand, former MLA of Singjamei and Irengbam Hemochandra, former MLA of Keishamthong Langpokplakpam Jayenta, former MLA of Kakching Yengkhom Surchandra were among other former MLAs present during the press conference, reports added.
Fresh Gunfight
In a fresh eruption of violence, a gunfight erupted on October 5 around 5 am in New Keithelmanbi area on NH 37 at Moidangpok Khunou under Patsoi Police Station, Imphal West and New Keithelmanbi Meetei Village on October 4 night.
The gunfight continued till 6 am and flames coming from houses were witnessed at two places of Sinam Khaithong village under New Keithelmanbi Police Station, Kangpokpi district. Four houses were reportedly set ablaze in Sinam Khaithong village.
Meanwhile, one unexploded bomb suspected to be fired by the Kuki militants landed at the residence of one Khumbongmayum Rajen of Moidangpok Khunou around 8 pm on October 4. The bomb disposal team safely exploded the bomb in Moidangpok Khunou field at around 4.40 am on October 5.
The bomb disposal squad also added that the mortar shell is similar to the mortar shell dropped at Terakhongsangbi, Moirang by using a drone in an earlier incident, and the said mortar shell is only issued to the Indian Army, reports added.
MU Demands Removal of AR from MU Campus
Condemning the heinous murder of the two young students Hemanjit Phijam and Luwangbi Linthoingambi Hijam and demanding stringent legal punishment against the nabbed culprits, students, teachers and the non-teaching staff of Manipur University staged a sit-in at the university’s main gate on October 3 and demanded removal of Assam Rifles camp at Manipur University within 13 days and warned of intense agitations if they failed to do so.
Representatives of the Manipur University Students’ Union (MUSU), Manipur University Teachers’ Association (MUTA), and Manipur University Staff Association (MUSA) were also among the protestors.
Speaking to the media, MUSU President Thokchom Sonamani pointed out that two days had already passed since the demand was made and that authorities should seriously deliberate on the demand.
Who Authorised Excessive Force Against Students: MHRC
Manipur Human Rights Commission (MHRC) wants to know who gave the command to use excessive force against students staging peaceful rallies in Imphal and has asked the Imphal West SP to submit a report on it.
The MHRC also asked the Commissioner (Home) to inform it how much interim compensation could be provided to the injured students on or before the next date.
The commission took up the case based on two complaints filed by Ningthoujam Jit Singh of Singjamei Okram Leikai, Imphal West District and one Mukul Phukon of Assam, Shivsagar, subject matter of complaints being inhuman and brutal abuse by the armed forces and security forces to the peaceful students/protestors as alleged.
The complaint said that on September 26 and 27, there was a peaceful rally organised by the students on the issue of abduction of two minors namely Hemanjit Phijam and Linthoingambi Hijam allegedly by the Kuki militants after photos of their dead bodies surfaced in the social media.
The complainant in the petition also alleged that the state police as well as central forces used excessive force without any warning to the peaceful students, while they were taking out a rally, as a result of which about 18 students were injured.
According to a complainant, viral photos showed personnel of Jat Regiment severely assaulting a student by forcing him to lie flat on the road at Moirangkhom, Imphal West. The complaint also mentioned other cases of assault of students.
Considering the facts of both the complaint cases as well as perusal of the news in the local newspapers, the commission asked DGP, Manipur to submit a status report on or before November 9, 2023.
Kuki-Zo Seeks Settlement of Political Aspirations
On the day of observation of the 5th Remembrance Day on October 3 by the Kuki-Zomi people across Kangpokpi district, they demanded the Centre for settlement of their political aspirations for the sake of justice and long-lasting peace.
The 5th Remembrance Day was held at Brig M Thomas Ground, Kangpokpi town under the aegis of the Committee on Tribal Unity Sadar Hills, reports said.
As part of the observation, Committee on Tribal Unity (CoTU) also imposed a 15-hour total shutdown in the entire district apart from displaying a coffin rally and candlelight vigil to pay tributes.
CoTU General Secretary Lamminlun Singsit gave the welcome and keynote address as the village volunteers displayed the coffin rally while reverend Kangpokpi District Tribal Churches Forum chairman Lamkeng Lhouvum dedicated the coffin and altars or offerings for the Kuki-Zo people.
Former President of All Manipur Christian Organisation (AMCO) reverend Prim Vaiphei who is also among the Kukis who were taken out from Imphal by the Assam Rifles attended the event as the main speaker.
CoTU media Cell Coordinator Ng Lun Kipgen said that the 5th Remembrance Day was observed to commemorate and pay respect to the departed souls. He said that during these five months, more than 140 innocent Kuki-Zo people were killed and 41,000 people were rendered homeless.
“If the Centre really wants to solve the issue, they have to act in a non-partisan manner,” he asserted. Various prominent Kuki-Zo leaders, village chiefs, civil society organizations also attended the event, reports added.
Arms, Ammunition Seized
Special Operation Group (SOG) Thoubal along with 33 AR Thoubal COB led by ASP(Ops)/Thoubal assisted by OC/CDO-Thoubal under the supervision of SP/Thoubal conducted a massive search operation at the jungle of Salam Patong village near Irong Lok on October 3.
The operation was conducted based on the specific information that some unknown armed miscreants had stored arms, ammunition, and explosives at the said area at around 11.30 am.
During the search operation, one Carbine B/Regn. No. 8494802 SAF IN 2014 along with a magazine, six 9mm live rounds, one SLR B/Regn. No. R6197 Butt No.36 along with 7 magazines, one 36 HE Hand Grenade, and two tube launchers were recovered at 1.10 pm. The massive search operation which started from 11.30 a.m. continued till 2 pm. No arrests and no untoward incidents took place during the search, sources said.
ITLF Lifts Indefinite Shutdown
The total and indefinite shutdown called by the Joint Students’ Body of Lamka and Indigenous Tribal Leaders’ Forum (ITLF) in Churachandpur district against the arrest of five persons and detention of two minors by the CBI on Sunday (October 1) was lifted on October 3.
A notice issued by media and publicity, ITLF stated that “after careful consideration, the indefinite shutdown declared by the Indigenous Tribal Leaders’ Forum (ITLF) will be concluded by 6 pm” on October 3.
It said that the ITLF will continue to monitor the situation and will issue a public notice if intense agitation is required.
ANSAM Demands AFSPA Withdrawal
The All Naga Students’ Association, Manipur (ANSAM) said it “vehemently opposes the continuous arbitrary imposition of the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958 (AFSPA) by the Government of India particularly in Naga homeland”.
The Naga student body said the extension of AFSPA to the entire state of Manipur as ‘disturbed areas’ excluding 19 police stations in Imphal valley for period of another six months with effect from October 1, 2023 on the pretext of law and order “when we are experiencing a relative peace in Naga areas unlike other parts of the state is very unfortunate and highly questionable”.
The ANSAM, while opposing the extension of the “draconian law AFSPA in Naga homeland”, put on record that, ever since the promulgation of the “said infamous act” Naga people have been experiencing “undeclared war where the innocent Naga villagers were terrorised by the Indian Army even women and children were not spared”.
Agitation to Continue Till Bodies Are Retrieved
The Joint Action Committee (JAC) against the Brutal Killing of Two Students by Kuki Militants on October 2 appreciated the government’s efforts to apprehend some culprits involved in the killing of two students and announced that these arrests would not deter their scheduled agitations.
The JAC emphasised that the retrieval of the students’ bodies and their handover to their grieving family members are the only course of action that can halt their ongoing protests.
Speaking at the Manipur Press Club in Imphal, the JAC’s convenor L Kanta, commended the swift response of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in capturing some of the culprits responsible for the heinous crime.
In accordance with Meitei traditions, mourning is continued until the last rite of the deceased is performed, he said, stressing that the government should ensure the timely delivery of the bodies to enable their families to perform these rites.
Until the bodies are handed over to the families, the JAC continues its planned agitation, including a statewide rally and hunger strike commencing from October 3.
Meitei Churches Not Spared by Kukis
Meitei Christian Victims of Manipur Violence has refuted the distorted narrative of the ongoing conflict in Manipur and asserted that the conflict was not religious but purely an ethnic conflict.
“Certain people from the Kuki community have been trying to sell a false narrative on various media platforms that the violence is inflicted by non-christians upon the Christian populace. This narrative is absolutely false,” the victims told the media.
Speaking to the media at Manipur Press Club on October 6, one Pastor K Ibungo gave his testimony and narrated the horrific violence on the Meitei Christians and churches in various hill districts of the state.
He alleged that Kuki Christians did not spare even Meitei Christians and churches that belonged to the Meitei community.
“Since the violence erupted in Churachandpur, three Meitei churches were looted while two were vandalised and destroyed in Churachandpur; one church in Kangpokpi district and three churches in Imphal East were also vandalised followed by another two in Serou and Chairen,” he said.
He continued that Boljang Asha Presbyterian Church in India (R), Thinggangphai Nungshiba Presbyterian Church in India (R), Yaiphakol Presbyterian Church in India, Manipur Evangelical Lutheral Church and Immanuel Meitei Fellowship, Shanti Veng are among the Churches which were destroyed in Churachandpur and Kangpokpi.
He pointed out that several churches in Laikhong, Yairipok; Yengkhuman, Saikul; Moreh and Tangjeng were also destroyed by Kuki miscreants.
He also highlighted that around 200 Meitei Christian houses were burnt down by Kuki miscreants, of which around 172 are in Churachandpur, nine in Moreh, 15 at Laikhong, five in Yengkhuman and 10 in Kangpokpi.
He reiterated that the conflict was not religious and condemned the burning of religious places by both Meiteis and Kukis. “In addition to Meitei Churches, Kuki miscreants had destroyed around 393 ancient shrines of the Meitei community as reported by UTKAL,” he added.
