New Delhi: More than five people have died and several people, including personnel from the Central and state forces, were injured over the last two weeks in Manipur. This follows the 255 days of violence that began in the state on May 3, 2023.
According to official figures, the ethnic violence claimed 175 lives, as of September 2023. It resulted in over 70,000 displacements and extensive damage, including 4,786 houses and 386 religious structures.
Over the past few months, the people of the state have been awaiting justice from both the state and central governments. In the wake of this, another recent incident in the border town of Moreh in Manipur’s Kuki-dominated Tengnoupal district, where a gunfight has persisted for months, is witnessing a surge in the number of casualties. Moreh is said to be under the dominance of the Kuki community.
Nevertheless, in the past two weeks, Arambai Tenggol, a Meitei socio-cultural organization, has purportedly detained at least three men, including a teacher named Peter Holkholal Mate, and two villagers, Lamminthang Lupho and Jangkholen Lupho of Chanvangphai Moreh. These individuals were allegedly subjected to severe beatings and abandoned in the jungle.
Currently, they are recovering in hospitals.
The Moreh Private Schools Association, condemning the attack on Holkholal Mate, said, “Peter was brutally tortured by police commandos on the night of 30 December.” Attempts to reach out to Peter have been unsuccessful, as he is not in a condition to speak. Images received from a source show extensive injuries all over his body. Besides teaching, Peter also serves as the secretary of youth at St. George Catholic Church, Moreh.
The incident involving Lamminthang Lupho and Jangkholen Lupho occurred on January 2.
Expressing concern over the worsening situation, Kuki Students’ Organisation (KSO) leader and an advocate in Moreh said, “We can no longer trust the police. Members of Arambai Tenggol are using police uniforms to roam around freely and pick up our men in the area.” –Agencies
