Manipur police have arrested eight individuals in connection with recent attacks on a police station and residences of Members of Legislative Assembly (MLAs), as ethnic tensions continue to plague the northeastern Indian state.
The arrests come amid heightened tensions following the discovery of six bodies of women and children from the Meitei community in rivers. The victims were allegedly abducted by Kuki militants after a gunfight with security forces in Jiribam district on November 11, which also resulted in the deaths of ten Kuki insurgents.
One of those arrested was identified as 20-year-old Chongtham Thoicha from Kiyam Mamang Leikai, who was apprehended for his involvement in arson attacks on elected representatives' properties on November 16. Seven others were taken into custody for attacking Kakching police station on November 27, reportedly in an attempt to secure the release of four individuals previously arrested for vandalising an elected member’s property.
In a separate development, security forces arrested four militants belonging to banned outfits, including three from the Kangleipak Communist Party and one from the United National Liberation Front. The authorities seized various weapons and ammunition, including INSAS cartridges, a .32 pistol, and multiple firearms during operations across different districts.
The ongoing crisis has taken a new turn with the National Investigation Agency (NIA) focusing its attention on Arambai Tenggol's supremo Korou Nganba Khuman and Kuki militants. The agency is investigating four cases, including the looting of arms from the 1st Manipur Rifles complex and an attack on an Indian Reserve Battalion post in Moreh. These cases have been transferred from Imphal to the NIA Special Court in Guwahati following a Supreme Court directive.
Meanwhile, a diplomatic row has erupted between the state governments of Manipur and Mizoram. Mizoram Chief Minister Lalduhoma sparked controversy by calling his Manipur counterpart, N Biren Singh, a “liability” and advocating for President’s rule in the state. In response, the Manipur government issued a stern rebuttal, criticising Lalduhoma’s past political record and expressing concerns about what they termed a “Kuki-Chin Christian nation agenda.”
The Manipur government has raised alarm over what it describes as a “greater agenda” to carve out a Kuki-Chin Christian nation from contiguous areas of Myanmar, India, and Bangladesh. They claim this plan involves illegal immigration, land grabbing, and displacement of indigenous peoples. The government cited statistics showing an unusual 122 percent increase in the number of villages in Kuki-dominated districts between 1969 and present day, compared to just 9 percent in Naga-dominated areas.
Adding to the complex situation, tripartite talks between the Centre, Manipur government, and United Naga Council (UNC) over the rollback of seven districts created in 2016 failed to reach a conclusion. The discussions, held in Senapati district, ended with the Manipur government expressing inability to present a concrete proposal, while the UNC insisted on its submission in future rounds of talks scheduled for January.
The ethnic violence between the Imphal Valley-based Meiteis and hills-based Kuki-Zo groups has claimed more than 250 lives and displaced thousands since May 2023.
