Imphal: A man of Nepali origin who legally adopted a Kuki identity reported being abducted and severely beaten in Manipur's Imphal West district on May 19. Ramesh Bhandari, also known as Thangtinlen Doungel, claimed he was targeted while shopping for rice at Kanglatongbi Bazar. The victim is a registered internally displaced person currently residing in the Saparmeina area.
Bhandari alleged that volunteers monitoring the area stopped him to demand identification. After discovering documents featuring his Kuki name, he claims he was blindfolded and taken to several locations where he was interrogated and physically assaulted for hours. He stated that even after explaining his background, the attackers continued their assault.
Family members eventually secured his release through the intervention of Gorkha community leaders. He received medical treatment for injuries sustained during the incident. His wife, Nemlam Doungel, confirmed that her husband married into the Kuki community in 2012, embraced Christianity, and legally changed his name in 2016. She added that they have been living as displaced persons since the onset of the region's ethnic conflict.
Members of the Kuki-Zo community have expressed alarm over the incident, stating that it highlights the dangerous trend of civilians being targeted based on their identity. Local authorities continue to manage the fallout of the ongoing tensions in the state.
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