Imphal: Four persons, including a deputy commander of a banned Kuki militant group, and a woman caught in a crossfire between two warring groups, were killed on Monday in Churachandpur district of Manipur, as violence returned to the northeastern state. The killings came on a day, three civil society groups from Manipur urged the Centre to take immediate steps to rehabilitate people hit by the ethnic violence and ensure security for farmers who have land in the vicinity of the Imphal valley. Thangboi Haokip, also known as “Thahpi”, a deputy commander-in-chief of the Kuki National Organisation/Kuki National Army (KNO/KNA), was killed in a daylight ambush. The attack occurred in the Songpi area of Churachandpur district, sending shockwaves through the region. According to police, unidentified gunmen launched a close-range assault on a car carrying Haokip and his two bodyguards at around 2 pm. The ambush unfolded as the KNO/KNA leader was enroute to attend a funeral.Tragically, a woman passing by on her way to the fields from her home was struck by a stray bullet during the attack. She later succumbed to her injuries at the Churachandpur district hospital, adding to the day’s grim toll. The two bodyguards accompanying Haokip, identified as Gaogao Singson and Saijin Haokip, were also killed instantly in the attack. The loss of these lives underscores the severity of the incident. Thangboi Haokip, a key figure in the KNA, a group under the Suspension of Operation (SoO) agreement with the govt of India, was a significant player in the region’s delicate peace process. “His death is expected to have far-reaching implications, potentially destabilizing the fragile peace maintained under the SoO framework,” one official said. The United Kuki National Army (UKNA) claimed responsibility for the attack, citing it as retaliation for the killing of their town commander and PRO in October last year. In a statement released in the Kuki dialect, the UKNA accused Haokip of being a govt informant and alleged his involvement in the deaths of over 30 people. This incident has heightened tensions between the rival groups, fuelling suspicion and deepening hostilities among the local population. In a swift response, security forces were deployed to the area to assess the situation and prevent any further escalation of violence. As the region grapples with the aftermath of this high-profile killing, the potential for further conflict looms large. Authorities are on high alert, and the situation remains tense as investigations continue. Beginning May 3, 2023, more than 250 civilians have died in ethnic clashes and valuable properties destroyed, though various steps have been taken up to curb the violence. Manipur is currently under President’s rule and the past BJP govt members are trying to push for the reinstatement of elected govt rule in the state. During the day, a 19-member delegation comprising members of the three groups — Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI), All Manipur United Clubs’ Organisation (AMUCO) and Federation of Civil Society Organisations (FOCS) met representatives of the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) in New Delhi. While the Kuki-Zo have been asking for a separate homeland, the Meitei groups say the territorial integrity of the state is non-negotiable in the peace initiative.
