The government’s efforts to contain the conflict and end the violence in the state have been seriously called into question after a farmer in Phubala, 39 km from Imphal in Bishnupur District, was hit by a bullet fired from Kuki areas, suspected to be carried out by Kuki militants today.
The suspected militants from Kuki areas fired around 5 to 6 rounds of bullets targeting a group of farmers belonging to the Meitei community who were working in a paddy field, in which one Ningombam Biren was hit in his arm and rushed to RIMS Hospital in Imphal.
Enraged by the attack, the local women’s groups of the district have made a peremptory demand to the Manipur Governor, DGP, Chief Secretary, and DC for answers regarding the fresh attack.
Meanwhile, the MLA of Moirang Assembly Constituency, Thongam Shanti, who visited the injured at RIMS, also questioned the security lapse and demanded immediate action from the Home Ministry.
After the imposition of President’s Rule in the state on February 13, the Governor had, on February 27, ordered the surrender of all illegally held arms. Village defence volunteers in the valley districts complied with the order, and the Arambai Tenggol had handed over 246 weapons on February 27 at 1st MR. A large number of weapons were also handed over to various police stations by individuals.
The security forces had, on June 14, also recovered and displayed 328 arms along with ammunition. However, the crucial question being asked by valley leaders is why a significant recovery of weapons cannot be seen in the hill districts of Manipur, even after the government’s efforts to end the violence since the imposition of President’s Rule.
