Photo Courtesy: India Today Group
Imphal: Violence continues to plague Manipur’s hill districts. Kuki civil society groups are demanding an immediate, independent investigation into the separate killings of two farmers. These attacks have reignited local fury over security failures.
Haokhogin Lhouvum, 45, died June 9. He was working in a paddy field near Lasan village in Tamenglong district when gunmen shot him dead. The attack happened on the same day 14 Kuki hostages were released from a month of captivity. This timing shattered hopes for peace. The Kuki Organisation for Human Rights Trust labeled the event a cold-blooded act against an unarmed civilian. They blame armed cadres of the NSCN-IM and the Zeliangrong United Front. Since March, at least eleven Kuki civilians have died in Ukhrul, Kangpokpi, and Tamenglong. Villages including Gamphal, Haijang, Lanchah, and Loibol Khullen have faced arson.
In a separate incident on July 11, 53-year-old Haolal Singsit was murdered. He was working in his jhum field in Govajang village, Kangpokpi district, at approximately 4 pm. His wife, Nemneikim Singsit, worked beside him but escaped unharmed. Locals reported hearing 20 rounds of gunfire. The Committee on Tribal Unity and Thadou Inpi-Sadar Hills claim the attackers were NSCN-IM and ZUF-Kamson militants. Thousands gathered July 12 in Kangpokpi to mourn Singsit.
Community leaders are questioning the state’s security apparatus. The Kuki Students’ Organisation noted the Tamenglong killing occurred just one day after the Director General of Police reviewed security in the area. The Kuki Inpi Sadar Hills further alleged that a team transporting Lhouvum’s remains was blocked from passing through Makui village. They were forced to take a different route.
Groups now demand a National Investigation Agency probe and a complete overhaul of area protection. Organizations are calling for accountability, compensation for grieving families, and intervention from the National Human Rights Commission. As the Thadou Inpi stated, "The people of Sadar Hills deserve to cultivate their fields and live peacefully without the threat of violence."
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