A Kuki women’s organisation has urged the Central government to take immediate and visible action in Manipur after two village volunteers were killed in violence reported from Ukhrul district. The group said the latest incident has once again exposed the fragile security situation in the state and raised serious questions about the effectiveness of efforts to restore peace in the conflict-hit region.
The Kuki Women Organisation for Human Rights, in a statement issued on Saturday, expressed deep concern over what it described as the continuing failure to ensure safety for civilians living in vulnerable areas. The organisation said that despite repeated promises from authorities, people in several affected regions continue to live in fear amid recurring incidents of violence.
The statement came days before May 3, a date that marks nearly three years since ethnic violence first broke out in Manipur. According to the organisation, there has been little visible improvement on the ground during this period. It said many displaced families are still struggling while fresh incidents of violence continue to disturb already tense areas.
Referring to the recent incident in Ukhrul district, the organisation alleged that two Kuki village volunteers from Mullam and Songphal villages were killed during an armed attack. It claimed that the attack involved the use of automatic weapons and accused Tangkhul militants of carrying out the assault. The allegations could not be independently verified.
The organisation further stated that the violence also affected civilians, including women and children. According to the statement, a woman and her daughter sustained injuries during the incident. It also claimed that nearly 15 houses were set on fire, leaving several families without shelter and forcing residents to flee from the area.
The group said the repeated occurrence of such incidents has created fear and uncertainty among people living in conflict-prone villages. It questioned how armed groups were still able to launch attacks despite heavy deployment of security forces in different parts of the state.
The organisation also criticised the handling of the situation by the authorities, saying communities affected by the violence were no longer satisfied with verbal assurances. Instead, it demanded concrete action to ensure protection of lives, homes and basic rights of the Kuki community.
Calling for stronger intervention from New Delhi, the organisation urged the Centre to take strict legal action against those responsible for the killings and arson. It demanded that the accused be identified and prosecuted without delay.
The group also appealed to the Central government to show through clear and practical measures that law and order can still be maintained in Manipur. It said vulnerable communities must be given proper protection and security so that further violence can be prevented.
