Protests at hospital force Kuki youths to be shifted out of Imphal at risk of life
More than three years after ethnic violence first tore through Manipur, tensions continue to simmer across its hills and valleys. The latest flashpoint has come
More than three years after ethnic violence first tore through Manipur, tensions continue to simmer across its hills and valleys. The latest flashpoint has come from Kangpokpi district, where an exchange of fire last Monday left three youths injured and sparked protests in Imphal after they were admitted to a government hospital. The latest flashpoint emerged in Kangpokpi district, days after the recovery of six Naga men's bodies who had been abducted from the area. Read Full Story The three injured youths, all from the Kuki community, were taken to the Regional Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS) in Imphal. Their admission triggered protests at the hospital complex, with demonstrators alleging that they were militants. Security forces fired tear gas shells and used batons after some protesters allegedly attempted to enter the hospital building, officials said. While the Meitei-Kuki conflict has dominated headlines since 2023, tensions between Kuki and Naga groups have a longer history in Manipur's hill districts.
In the 1990s, the two communities were involved in a violent conflict that created near-war-like conditions in parts of the state, with disputes over land, territorial claims and political representation continuing to shape relations in the years since. Officials said the firing took place near Leilon Vaiphei village at around 6 am, when armed persons exchanged fire in the Kuki-majority district. Leilon Vaiphei is the village from where six people from the Naga community were abducted on May 13. The bodies of six men, believed to be those who had been kidnapped, were recovered on June 10. The injured were identified as Genlenmang Vaiphei, 18, Lunliandaw Vaiphei, 20, and Paogoulal, 18. Soon after they were brought to RIMS, a group of protesters gathered near the hospital and objected to their admission. The demonstrators also questioned whether similar security arrangements would be provided to ordinary citizens travelling through Kuki-majority areas of Kangpokpi district.
Additional central forces were deployed at the hospital complex, and officials said the situation remained tense but under control. All Naga Students' Association, Manipur leader T P Dining, who joined the protest, also questioned the security cover and transportation provided to the injured youths. In a report from Churachandpur, a prominent Kuki organisation condemned the firing in Kangpokpi district. In a statement, the Kuki-Zo Council said, "Paogoulal Chongloi is a promising footballer who has represented Mohun Bagan Football Club." The organisation also expressed concern over the gathering of a large crowd at RIMS to protest against the admission of the three injured youths. It urged citizens across the country to condemn violence irrespective of community and appealed to the Centre to recognise the urgency of a political solution to the crisis in Manipur. The incident came days after suspected militants attacked a Kuki-majority village in Manipur's Kamjong district on June 11, killing two people and burning several houses.
The BriefWire