Two CRPF personnel were killed in Manipur’s Bishnupur district following a blast at the paramilitary force’s outpost, the police informed. Another person was also killed in a separate incident in Imphal East district even as the second phase of polling saw violence affecting polling in the violence hit state. The person killed hailed from the Meitei community and was killed at Sinam village in Imphal East district, at the border of Kangpokpi.
Meanwhile as Kuki-Zo and Tribal groups responded to the CRPF killings expressing regrets and giving their version, the Meitis have retorted with sharp disclaimers and their own version about the causes behind the attack on CRPF personnel.
The two deceased CRPF men killed in last night’s blast have been identified by the police as Sub-Inspector N Sarkar and Head Constable Arup Saini. The incident took place at around 12:45 am in the intervening night of Friday and Saturday. According to the police, as reported by The Indian Express, the gunmen opened fire at Narainsena village in Meitei-majority Bishnupur district. The police informed that the miscreants also fired a bomb which exploded inside a CRPF outpost there. “Security forces have cordoned off the area and further investigation will be carried out by the police,” a security official told the media.
Speaking to the media, Security Advisor, CRPF DG, Kuldeep Singh spoke in a measured tone saying that immediate investigations are on and the guilty militant groups would be brought to justice in a court of law. When questioned as to “which” group was responsible for the attack on the CRPF camp, he stated very clearly that only a complete investigation would reveal all details. “Everyone is aware of which groups operate here in the area. Both the Meiti and Kuki militant groups know that the Central forces have been brought in to fostrer peace, we are stationed between both communities,” he replied.
The Video can be watched here:
The Security Advisor of Manipur, Mr. Kuldiep Singh, who is also a former CRPF officer, has refused to confirm allegations that Kuki militants were involved in today’s killing of CRPF Jawans. So, where is Manipur Police getting their information that Kuki militants are… https://t.co/5qXczUUuzN pic.twitter.com/5I55V9w2YH
— Min (Kuki ka parivar) (@ngulminthang) April 27, 2024
Meanwhile, in a separate incident, a person was also killed in a village in Imphal East district after heavy exchange of fire in the area last night. The person hailed from the Meitei community and was killed at Sinam village in Imphal East district, at the border of Kangpokpi.
Even as news of the tragic killing of two CRPF men made news, the Kuki Inpi Manipur, that calls itself the apex body of the Kuki tribes with its centre at Lamka, issued a press release on Saturday. “The ruthless attack on IRB (India Reserve Battalion) comp at Naranseina, Bishnupur District, by the Valley Based Insurgent Groups (VBIGs) resulting in the death of two CRPF personnel and the injury of several others is terrorising and deeply unfortunate.”
“The Central Security Forces have been in the forefront in protecting the lives of innocent civilians on both sides of the Buffer Zones. The Security Forces have been instrumental in ensuring public security, establishing social order, and providing hope for restoration and normalcy amidst the ruins of the brutal ethnic cleansing perpetrated by the majority Meiteis against the minority Kukis. Therefore, the Kuki Inpi Manipur vehemently condemns such act of terrorism against the Central Security Forces who are providing safety and security for the people. Such mindless activity is indicative of a total disregard for law and order and the impunity that the Valley-based Insurgent Groups (VBIGs) enjoy under the Manipur State Government.”
Further the statement also recorded that “the Kuki Inpi Manipur is appalled by the swift finger-pointing against the Kuki Village Volunteers for the merciless attack against the Central Security Forces, as highlighted by a few media establishments. It is highly suspicious that this is a propaganda effort of the VBIGs to mislead the people and cast the Kukis in a negative light as a cover for their numerous anti-national activities.”
Urging media organizations to uphold journalistic ethics by refraining from speculative reporting and instead focusing on through investigation and verification of facts. Rushing to assign blame without substantiated evidence not only risks misinforming the public but perpetuates discord and mistrust within communities, the Kuki Inpi Manipur has stated that “as responsible stewards of information, journalists must prioritize accuracy and integrity in their reporting to ensure a more informed and nuanced understanding of complex situations like this.” Apart from the condemnation of the blast, the Kuki Inpi Manipur has said that it stands in solidarity with the family of the bereaved CRPF personnel, and prays that such act of terrorism do not have a place in modern India.
Meanwhile the MEITEI response countered the factual implications stating that, ““Yes it’s true that Narayansena village is in Bishenpur district. It’s on the way to Moirang. There are many hills nearby .Many Kuki villages are there in this hills. Mary Kom’s original home is also from one of these villages. The Koms have maintained that they are not part of the Kuki-Zos but the Kuki militants have controlled these villages. There have been shootings between Kukis and Meiteis in the area in the past. So, “their” statement is an utter lie.”
The statement being referred to is a statement issued by the Indigenous Tribal Leaders’ Forum (ITLF)—a Conglomerate of Recognised Tribes in Lamka, Outer Manipur The Indigenous Tribal Leaders’ Forum (ITLF) while vehemently condemning the attack on Kuki-Zo areas near Khoirentak in Manipur’s Bishnupur district just after midnight on Saturday (April 27, 2024), which resulted in the deaths of two CRPF personnel who were guarding the buffer zone also condoled the deaths of the two CRPF jawans and prayed for their families.
Rebutting the unsubstantiated local media reports “blaming Kuki militants for launching the attack”, the ITLF has condemned this one-sided interpretation and claimed that this “information is based on a report by Manipur Police, should be taken with a pinch of salt as it is controlled by the Meitei government.” This body has also appealed to the media to play a responsible role. Finally, the ITLF has also made a bald statement saying it was “Meitei militants who launched the attack on tribal areas.”
“Kuki-Zo tribals have always appreciated the presence of central security forces and we have lauded their efforts in protecting the lives of civilians. Just yesterday, tribal residents of Gamgiphai in Kangpokpi district held a protest asking central security forces not to leave the area.” Finally this press note states that it is the Meitei population which has repeatedly stopped central forces from conducting their peace keeping duty by blocking their movement while Meitei militants attack tribal villages.
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