Manipur Violence: Kuki Group Lifts Blockade at NH-2, Claims to Release Five Meiteis

IMPHAL: The United Peoples' Front (UPF) and Kuki National Organisation (KNO) have decided to lift the blockade at Kangui (Kangpokpi) on NH2 in Manipur on July 2 in order to guarantee the uninterrupted supply of necessities and to reestablish peace and communal harmony in the state, which has been plagued by ethnic violence since May 3, 2023.

Numerous individuals have been displaced and hundreds of lives have been lost as a result of the ongoing violence between the Meiteis and Kuki Zo groups. UPF and KNO have taken this action following lengthy consultations with numerous stakeholders, including Civil Society Organisations, village chiefs, youth, and women leaders, in recognition of the need to solve the condition of the afflicted people and restore normalcy.

On the other hand, Kuki volunteers freed five Meitei adolescents they had in custody on July 2 in an effort to spread a message of peace and bring peace to the violent state of Manipur. According to the Kuki volunteers, five Meitei people were captured on June 1 about 2:00 pm at Gwaltabi under the Saikul Police Station in Saikul Sub Division in the Kangpokpi district.

The Kuki volunteers continued, "Despite learning many sensational details and being aware that some of them have a close connection to the Meitei radical group, the Arambai Tenggol, we have decided to release them safely. Our sole motivation for doing so is to send a clear message to the Meitei brethren to stop their unrelenting violence against the Kukis.

The teenagers detained are mechanics by trade, and some of them may have connections to the Arambai Tenggol.

In a statement to the media, the volunteers said that they interrogated the youths and that during the interrogations, a lot of shocking material was discovered. They claim that Chief Minister N. Biren Singh is responsible for the current issue of widespread violence in Manipur, and that many Meitei groups are also opposed to this violence.

The volunteers cited the five Meitei people as claiming that N. Biren Singh has failed as Chief Minister and has already lost the fight.

Also Read: Naga, Kuki, Meitei - all 34 tribes in Manipur must live together: CM Biren Singh

Also Watch: