Protests follow the fresh killings in Manipur Kangpokpi; Bodies demand postponement of Elections

Tension prevailed along with an eerie silence in Manipur’s Kangpokpi district, a day after violence claimed two lives in Phailengmol, the fringe areas of the foothills bordering Imphal East on Saturday. The deceased claimed to be from the Kuki-Zo community, identified as Kamminlal Lupheng and Kamlengsat Lunkim. Their bodies are yet to be recovered by the forces. Protests erupted in several parts of Kangpokpi district on Sunday against the killings and demanding the bodies of the two village volunteers be handed over to their families at the earliest. Police haven’t confirmed anything as yet about the whereabouts of the bodies, while horrifying unverified videos have gone into circulation, claimed to be of the incident.

A complete shutdown was observed in Kangpokpi, similar solidarity protests were carried out in the Churachandpur district on Sunday. The killings coming right ahead of the Lok Sabha elections first phase on April 19, when Manipur goes to polling. “A combined team of Arambai Tenggol and UNLF militants has been attacking tribal areas since yesterday (Friday) and openly posting about their activity on social media,” the Indigenous Tribal Leaders’ Forum (ITLF), a conglomerate of Tribal bodies in Outer Manipur alleged in a press statement on Sunday. Meanwhile Manipur police have registered two First Information Reports (FIRs) on the killings, including the zero FIR registered with Kangpokpi police station.

The killings came after a brief lull period but in continuation to the mindless violence that erupted on May 03, 2023 and then gripped the entire state for over a prolonged period. Over 200 people have lost their lives in the violence that has continued unabated for months, leaving more than 60,000 people displaced.

With days to go to polling, The Delhi Meitei Coordinating Committee (DMCC), an umbrella body representing Meitei civil society organizations in Delhi, meanwhile, has written to the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) and the Chief Justice of India (CJI) seeking postponement of the Lok Sabha election in Manipur for the time being.