Tensions escalate in Manipur as Kuki group issues 48-hour ultimatum for withdrawal of paramilitary forces

The Committee on Tribal Unity (COTU), a Kuki-Zo organization in Manipur, issued a "deadline" of 48 hours on Jan 5 for the withdrawal of all paramilitary forces from the Kuki-dominated districts that were recently rushed in from Imphal.

Manipur police said on Jan 3 night that the Superintendent of Police (SP) of Kangpokpi, Manoj Prabhakar, was hurt when a mob went berserk during a protest program called by COTU with a demand for the withdrawal of paramilitary forces from the Saibol area in Kangpokpi.

The COTU also imposed an indefinite "economic blockade" on NH-2, which connects the Meitei-dominated Valley with the Hills, and a "shutdown" with a demand for the withdrawal of paramilitary forces from Saibol, which were rushed in from Imphal recently.

Nevertheless, the organization chose to lift the "economic blockade" following reports that a Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) battalion had been removed from Saibol.

Another battalion that was already stationed at Kangpokpi took the place of the original one.

Following reports of suspected Kuki insurgents firing on Meitei villages in Imphal East, which borders Kangpokpi, more CRPF and Border Security Force (BSF) forces were recently dispatched from Imphal to the Saibol region.

Numerous "armed militants" were flushed out, according to the police, and the soldiers removed a number of "bunkers" from the region.

However, the CRPF and BSF teams rushed from Imphal to target the Kuki-Zo people, who were defending their villages from potential attacks by "armed militants" from the Meitei group, according to COTU.

"The COTU would be forced to resort to a more stringent mode of agitation until and unless the remaining central paramilitary forces deployed from the Valley are withdrawn from the said region/areas within 48 hours from the time of withdrawal of the economic blockade," reads the statement released by COTU on Jan 5.

At least 22 people were killed in fresh violence across various regions, with the most violent incident occurring on Nov 11.

During this attack on a relief camp in Jiribam, eight Meitei residents were abducted and killed, while security forces gunned down 10 assailants.

Since the Meitei-Kuki conflict began in May 2023, the Meitei-dominated Valley and the Kuki-dominated hill districts have remained physically separated.

The fight has resulted in approximately 250 fatalities and over 60,000 displaced people.

Despite the presence of several central troops, notably the Army, the state has remained unstable due to sporadic acts of violence.