NAGA BODY DEMANDS ACTION AGAINST MEITEI GROUPS FOR KILLING OF NAGA WOMAN IN IMPHAL EAST

WebDesk July 20, 2023 2 minutes read

Incidents of extreme violence continue to be reported from Manipur. Over the weekend, incidents of firing were reported from the Churachandpur and Bishnupur border areas. Two people were killed in this fresh violence. In a shocking instance from Imphal East, a 55-year-old Naga woman Lucy Maring who had a mental illness was found murdered. She had been shot and her face disfigured. According to the police, nine people including five women have been arrested in connection with the incident. To protest this violence, United Naga Council has announced a 12-hour shutdown on 17 July in all Naga-dominated areas in Imphal. The group called the killing a “cold-blooded murder” and said that the victim was “forcefully apprehended” by a women’s group and handed over to a private militia that killed her. UNC has said, “UNC condemns such barbaric committed on innocent Nagas despite knowing her identity as Naga,” the statement reads, demanding action against the perpetrators including Meira Paibis (Meitei women’s vigilante groups). “…exemplary punishment should be initiated upon the culprits.” The other death was of a 34-year-old man identified as Jangkholun Haokip in Laimaton Thangbuh, a Kuki village in Kangpokpi district in the hill. According to The Hindu, 40-50 armed miscreants stormed the village and fired shots. A group of women reportedly burnt down three trucks carrying LPG cylinders owned by a Kuki-Zo tribal in Imphal West’s Sekmai village. The Indigenous Tribal Leaders’ Forum issued a statement condemning this, saying, “The womenfolk, who claim to be the guardians of society, have morphed into killers, arsonists and abettors of armed militants. They’ve accompanied gunmen during raids on tribal settlements, blocked security forces from helping villagers while they are being attacked, and forced the release of separatist militants responsible for the killings of soldiers. And they are not shy of burning innocent women and children alive if given the opportunity.” In a tweet, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi hit out at PM Modi over his silence on the Manipur violence and lives lost. “Manipur burns. EU Parliament discusses India’s internal matter. PM hasn’t said a word on either!” “Meanwhile, Rafale gets him a ticket to the Bastille Day Parade.” Ethnic violence erupted in Manipur on 3 May. About 150 people have lost their lives so far and tens of thousands have been displaced.