Tension rises again in Manipur, Kukis enraged over ‘CM’s’ audio; BJP leader’s house burnt down – hindustannewshub.com

Tension seems to be rising once again in Manipur. The Kuki community held three rallies in tribal-dominated areas on Saturday. In these rallies, people were adamant on the demand for a separate administration. At the same time, people protested against the alleged audio clip of Chief Minister N Biren Singh, in which some objectionable comments have been made. They held rallies in Leishang of Churachandpur district, Keithelmanbi of Kangpokpi and Moreh of Tengnoupal.

The rally in Churachandpur started from the Anglo Kuki War Gate in Leishang and ended at. All markets and schools remained closed in the district in view of the rally organised by students of the Kuki-Zo community. Commissioner (Home) N Ashok Kumar urged people to keep business establishments and private institutions open. Hundreds of protesters participated in the rally which started from Keithelmanbi Military Colony in Kangpokpi and covered a distance of eight kilometres and marched to Thomas Maidan in the district headquarters.

G. Kipgen, a protester at the Kangpokpi rally, said, “The protest is being held for our demand of a Union Territory for the Kuki-Jo people. We also protested against the ‘viral’ audio clip in which objectionable remarks have been made.” The Manipur government had said that audio clips were circulated on social media in an attempt to disrupt peace measures in the ethnic violence-hit state and falsely claimed to be the voice of the chief minister.

The government had claimed that the audio clip was ‘doctored’ and the state police is investigating the matter. A protest march was also taken out in the India-Myanmar border town of Moreh demanding a separate administration. The chief minister has outrightly rejected the Kuki groups’ demand for a separate administration and has projected himself as a champion of the state’s interests and a person who will not allow its identity to be weakened.

For the first time, the demand of the Kuki community has been clearly rejected. On Thursday in New Delhi, some representatives of the Kuki-Jo community demanded the creation of a union territory with an assembly on the lines of Puducherry. They argued that this is the only way to end the confrontation. Singh, who comes from the Meitei community, is on the target of the opposition for the ethnic violence that broke out in Manipur in May last year. Kuki organizations are accusing him of taking the side of the Meitei community in the ethnic violence. Due to this violence, unprecedented polarization is being seen in the society of Manipur. According to an official figure, 226 people have died in clashes between the Kuki-Jo and Meitei ethnic groups since May 2023.

BJP leader’s house set on fire

Unknown persons set fire to the ancestral house of BJP state unit spokesperson Michael Lamjathang in Churachandpur district on Saturday. A car parked in the premises of the house at Peniyal village in Tuibong subdivision was also set on fire during the attack. The house was also attacked last week. Churachandpur district Deputy Commissioner Dharun Kumar S has written a letter to the district Superintendent of Police to investigate and submit a report as early as possible, police said. Chief Minister N Biren Singh condemned the “third attack” on Lamjathang’s house.

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