Gunfight erupts in Manipur’s Kangpokpi as Kuki-Zo body blocks highways: Police

TEnsion escalated in Manipur’s Kangpokpi territory on lord's day after an change of go off stony-broke out between security forces and unidentified armed men during a search operation, even as the Committee on Tribal Unity (CoTU) announced an indefinite blockade of the state’s two key national highways, alleging bias in security operations in the Leimakhong-Kangchup area.Police said the gun battle broke out at 7.20 am when security forces went to Leilon Vaiphei for a search operation. “It is yet to be confirmed which armed groups were involved in the incident. No casualties were reported during the gunfire,” an officer said.Meanwhile, CoTU, a Kuki-Zo body, issued a statement on Sunday announcing that the indefinite blockade of the Imphal-Dimapur highway (NH-2) and the Imphal-Silchar highway via Jiribam (NH-37) would take effect from 4 pm on Sunday until further notice.“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”, the statement said.“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 innocentvillagers, immediate measures to prevent further attacks, arson, and displacement and accountability for any lapses or acts of bias in the discharge of security duties,” the statement added.CoTU urged the central government to act decisively, impartially and without delay to prevent further loss of innocent lives.The ethnic clashes in Manipur first began between the Meitei and Kuki communities before involving almost every community. The state’s Meitei and Kuki-Zo communities have remained largely segregated in the areas they dominate since ethnic clashes began in May 2023, leaving at least 260 people dead and displacing 60,000 people.The Meiteis, mostly Hindu, live largely in the Imphal Valley. The Kukis, predominantly Christian, reside in the hills. The state government has maintained that there are no buffer zones dividing communities in the state, but it has identified certain sensitive areas.A new government was formed in February, nearly a year after the imposition of President’s Rule. It includes representatives from all three major communities as part of an attempt to maintain ethnic balance.