Manipur: Gunfight erupts amid highway blockade by tribal group alleging bias

Tension flared in Manipur's Kangpokpi district on Sunday as a gunfight broke out between security forces and unidentified armed men during a search operation. The exchange of fire occurred in Leilon Vaiphei at 7:20 am, though authorities have yet to confirm the involvement of specific armed groups. No casualties were reported.

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It is yet to be confirmed which armed groups were involved in the incident. No casualties were reported during the gunfire.

Simultaneously, the Committee on Tribal Unity (CoTU), a Kuki-Zo representative body, announced an indefinite blockade of the Imphal-Dimapur highway (NH-2) and the Imphal-Silchar highway via Jiribam (NH-37), effective from Sunday afternoon. The CoTU cited alleged bias in security operations in the Leimakhong-Kangchup area as the reason for the blockade.

In a statement, CoTU emphasized that security forces must safeguard all citizens impartially. The body urged the Indian government, particularly the Ministry of Home Affairs, to intervene immediately. Their demands include ensuring impartial security operations, protecting vulnerable villages and civilians, investigating the killings of three pastors and twelve villagers, preventing further attacks and displacement, and holding those responsible for any lapses or bias accountable.

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The primary responsibility of the security forces and the Government is to safeguard every citizen without discrimination. Any action or omission that creates an impression of bias only aggravates the prevailing crisis and erodes public confidence in the institutions entrusted with maintaining peace and security.

Manipur has been gripped by ethnic clashes between the Meitei and Kuki communities since May 2023, resulting in at least 260 deaths and displacing 60,000 people. The communities have largely segregated since the conflict began, with Meiteis primarily residing in the Imphal Valley and Kuki-Zo communities in the hills. A new government formed in February aims to maintain ethnic balance.

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In view of the deteriorating security situation and the continuing threat faced by innocent civilians, CoTU calls upon the Government of India, particularly the Ministry of Home Affairs, to immediately intervene and ensure impartial and professional conduct of all security operations, adequate protection of vulnerable villages and civilian populations, independent investigation into the killings of the three pastors and twelve innocent villagers, immediate measures to prevent further attacks, arson, and displacement and accountability for any lapses or acts of bias in the discharge of security duties.