Photo Courtesy: nenow
Imphal: The Thadou Inpi Manipur organization is pushing for a deep probe into the October 19 killing of three Meitei civilians at Sunurok Hills in Imphal East. They claim the bloodbath stems from internal rivalries between Kuki militant factions. Political scheming for the 2027 Assembly elections drives the violence.
Authorities arrested three Kuki National Front (Nehlun) cadres. Two suspects reportedly confessed to their roles in the attack. Investigators recovered heavy weapons, ammunition, poppy straw, and a Kuki Students’ Organisation identity card at the scene. These items suggest a massive network connecting militants to illegal narcotics. The Thadou Inpi alleges that certain civil society groups, including the KSO, operate as fronts for factions bound by the Suspension of Operations agreement.
The group points to the recent arrests of KSO-GHQ vice-president Jamkhomang Khongsai and United Kuki National Army leader Thangkhomang Haokip as proof. They claim KNF (Presidential) Home Secretary Jangboi Kipgen directs a web of proxies linked to the KNF (Nehlun). Internal rifts between KNF (P) president ST Thangboi Kipgen and Jangboi Kipgen over candidate picks for Saitu and Kangpokpi constituencies fueled the fighting. The group states: "The organisation welcomed the arrest of three alleged cadres of the Kuki National Front (Nehlun) but said investigators should examine the command structures and operational links between outlawed factions and groups that are signatories to the Suspension of Operations agreement."
Jangboi Kipgen allegedly uses these proxies to scare villagers and manipulate voter turnout. The violence also sought to block the return of Deputy Chief Minister Nemcha Kipgen. Investigators must ignore blanket denials from militant umbrellas. They need to target senior leadership. Factional disputes offer no excuse for these murders.
Comments