Manipur comes to standstill as protests against killings by Kuki militants galore

Normal life was completely affected in Manipur as the JAC against the brutal killing of Takhellambam Manoranjan Singh by Kuki militants imposed a 48-hour general strike on Saturday morning.All educational institutes and business establishments were closed down due to the strike. The streets were completely deserted, and people did not venture out due to the strike. Security arrangements were also taken to prevent the occurrence of any untoward incidents.

Meanwhile, the JAC against the killing of four villagers at Ningthoukhong on July 18 by Kuki militants said they would not accept the bodies of the four people. They demanded action against army personnel who were posted in the area to protect the civilians. Just before the killing of the four villagers, troops had come to the area to take water, the villagers said.

The Youth's Forum for Protection of Human Rights (YFPHR) meanwhile questioned the rationale of posting security personnel as attacks by Kuki militants were not stopped by the troops. The forum gave a list of attacks on farmers and civilians in the close vicinity of various camps of security personnel.

During the last 45 days, Kuki militants have killed about 26 people, including children, mostly after kidnapping them. In recent attacks by Kuki militants, two Manipur Police personnel were killed and 13 police personnel were injured. The Manipur government has requested the Union Home Ministry send helicopters to help the security personnel at the border town of Moreh as various Kuki organisations have blocked the national highway.

Security agencies said the Kuki militants were heavily armed and used sophisticated weapons, and there were reports of Myanmar citizens helping those who were attacking Manipur Police. Security Advisor Kuldiep Singh said the police were sitting ducks; hence, they would be moved to a safer location.

Police said a combined force recovered a huge cache of arms and ammunition from Churachandpur district on Friday.The recovered arms and ammunition included one 5.56mm M4A1 assault rifle with magazine, one 9 mm pistol, seven single barrel rifles, one 38mm tear gas gun shell, 12 improvised mortars, one hand grenade, and four 9mm ammunition.(UNI)