Kuki Group Issues Threat While Manipur Top Cop Oversees Security For Shirui Lily Festival In Ukhrul
Quick Reads
Summary is AI generated, newsroom reviewed.
A Kuki group has warned the Meitei community against passing through their villages during the Shirui Lily Festival in Ukhrul, Manipur, from May 20-24. The warning came while the Manipur DGP was in Ukhrul overseeing security arrangements.
Imphal/Guwahati:
A Kuki group has warned members of the Meitei community against passing by their villages while going to a district in northern Manipur where the state-level Shirui Lily Festival 2025 is scheduled to be held from May 20 to 24.
The festival, being promoted by the state government, celebrates the rare, endangered state flower Shirui Lily that grows in the hills of Ukhrul district, the home of Tangkhul Naga tribe and other Naga communities.
The group 'Kuki Zo Village Volunteer - Eastern Zone' in a statement gave their best wishes for the festival, and offered support to the Naga tribes; however, it said it will not allow Meiteis to pass through Kuki villages that are located on the way to Ukhrul district.
The Kuki group in its statement on May 11 warning members of the Meitei community said, "We strongly advise all members of the Meitei community to refrain from entering or crossing our areas at any time. Any violation of this direction will be considered intentional, and individuals shall bear full responsibility for any consequences that may follow."
The warning came while Manipur Director General of Police Rajiv Singh went to Ukhrul for two days to oversee security arrangements ahead of the Shirui Lily Festival.
The Director General of Police, Manipur, made a two-day visit to Ukhrul District to oversee the general law and order situation and also assess and review security preparedness for the upcoming Shirui Festival, scheduled to take place from May 20 to 24, 2025 at Ukhrul District.... pic.twitter.com/5ggO2RFcLX
— Manipur Police (@manipur_police) May 11, 2025
Manipur is under the President's rule.
The group 'Kuki Zo Village Volunteer - Eastern Zone' does not share the same name as the 'Village Volunteers Eastern Zone', or VVEZ.
While the VVEZ has not given a statement on the Shirui Lily Festival, earlier on March 8, the deadline set by Manipur Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla to surrender illegally held and looted weapons, the VVEZ published a video statement - seven of its masked members in camouflage and carrying AK series and other assault rifles - asserting they will not lay down arms until their demand for a separate administration was met.
The Manipur State Transport has announced bus service timings from the state capital Imphal to Ukhrul from May 20 to 24 for those who want to visit the picturesque hill town popular with tourists.
The Naga insurgent group National Socialist Council of Nagaland (Isak-Muivah) or NSCN (IM), responding to the Kuki group's May 11 statement threatening members of the Meitei community who may visit Ukhrul for the Shirui Lily Festival, said it will "not tolerate if KZVV-EZ make any wild attempt to disturb the streaming tourists targeting any particular community travelling to Ukhrul/Shirui village."
The NSCN (IM) said the festival also serves as a platform for raising awareness about environmental conservation and cultural heritage of the Tangkhul Naga and other Naga communities. The NSCN (IM) signed a framework agreement with the central government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2015 to work towards bringing peace in Nagaland.
Tangkhul Naga social worker Asang Kashar condemned the warning by the Kuki group.
"This is directly a challenge to every citizen of Manipur and shows they (Kukis) are against peace," Mr Kashar said.
The Naga and the Kuki tribes have fought in the 90s; hundreds including women and children were killed.
The Kuki tribes and the Meiteis have been fighting since May 2023 over a range of issues such as land rights and political representation. Over 260 have died and nearly 50,000 have been internally displaced.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Hindustan Times
38 minutes ago
- Hindustan Times
Manipur tense after Meitei member's arrest; Local group declares 10-day shutdown
IMPHAL: Tensions escalated across the valley districts of Manipur following the arrest of Asem Kanan, a member of the Meitei group Arambai Tenggol, by the Anti-Corruption Branch (ACB), Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), Guwahati, on Sunday. In a press release, CBI said: 'Kanan was arrested on Sunday at Imphal airport for his involvement in various criminal activities linked to the 2023 Manipur violence. His family has been informed of the arrest.' The statement also mentioned that CBI is investigating cases related to the Manipur violence as per the directive of the Supreme Court of India. 'Due to the prevailing law-and-order situation, the trial of these cases has been shifted from Manipur to Guwahati,' it said. CBI further confirmed that Kanan has been transported to Guwahati and will be produced before a competent court for police remand. According to police officials familiar with the matter, Kanan was arrested along with four other Arambai Tenggol members on Saturday from Imphal. However, the CBI's official statement confirmed only the arrest of Kanan. Meanwhile, violent protests erupted in Imphal city. Hundreds of demonstrators blocked major roads using burning tyres, wooden planks, and other debris. Security forces fired tear gas shells, mock bombs, and live rounds to disperse the crowds. Amid the chaos, a 13-year-old boy sustained serious injuries to his leg, reportedly from a tear gas shell explosion. He was evacuated to a nearby hospital. From Saturday evening to 5.30 pm Sunday, at least 11 people were reported injured in connection with the unrest, with the situation continuing to deteriorate in the evening. Security forces have been deployed at key locations across Imphal, including Palace Compound in Imphal East, and Keishampat Bridge, Moirangkhom, and Tiddim Road stretching up to Imphal airport in Imphal West. Arambai Tenggol on Saturday announced a 10-day statewide shutdown demanding the unconditional release of the arrested volunteers. Additionally, a women's group from Khurai in Imphal East issued a stern warning, demanding that 'all MLAs currently outside the state return to Imphal and form a new popular government by 6 pm on June 10.' The group declared that any MLA who fails to return by the deadline will not be allowed to re-enter the state. As of 5.30 pm Sunday, the situation remained highly volatile in the valley districts, with security on high alert and public anger mounting.
The Hindu
an hour ago
- The Hindu
Manipur Governor holds security review meeting amid protests over Meitei outfit leaders' arrest
Manipur Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla on Sunday (June 8, 2025) held a security review meeting with senior officials in the wake of violent protests across the state over the arrests of Meitei outfit leaders. A Raj Bhavan statement said the Governor also met a delegation of MLAs who apprised Bhalla of the current law and order situation in the state. "The governor held a security review meeting with senior administrative and security officials. During the meeting, a comprehensive discussion and review of various matters relating to the current law and order situation in the state were deliberated," it said. The security advisor, the director general of police, the commissioner (home), the secretary to the Governor, the additional director general of police (law and order), IGAR (S), the inspector general, CRPF and other senior officials were present during the meeting. "Today, a group of MLAs called on Governor of Manipur, Ajay Kumar Bhalla, at Raj Bhavan during which the MLAs apprised the governor of the current law and order situation in the state and requested his intervention to help find an amicable solution," the Raj Bhavan statement said. The Governor told the delegation that all "necessary steps are being taken to address the concerns and to restore normalcy", it said. Protests were held across Manipur on Saturday (June 7, 2025) night over the arrests of leaders of the Meitei organisation Arambai Tenggol, prompting the administration to impose prohibitory orders and suspend internet services in five Imphal valley districts. BJP legislator K. Ibomcha, who was part of the delegation, claimed after the meeting that altogether five people were arrested in connection with earlier incidents of violence, which triggered widespread protests in the northeastern state since Saturday (June 7, 2025). Among the five arrested people, one was apprehended by the CBI, he said. The CBI said it has arrested a member of the Meitei outfit Arambai Tenggol at Imphal Airport on Sunday (June 8, 2025) for his alleged involvement in various criminal activities related to Manipur violence in 2023, while the police did not disclose details of the four others. More than 260 people have been killed and thousands rendered homeless in the ethnic violence between Meiteis and Kuki-Zo groups since May 2023. The Centre had on February 13 imposed the President's rule in the northeastern state after Chief Minister N. Biren Singh resigned. The state assembly, which has a tenure till 2027, has been put under suspended animation.
India.com
2 hours ago
- India.com
Manipur crisis: Guv holds security review meeting amid protests over Meitei outfit leaders' arrest
Manipur- File image Manipur Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla on Sunday held a security review meeting with senior officials in the wake of violent protests across the state over the arrests of Meitei outfit leaders. A Raj Bhavan statement said the governor also met a delegation of MLAs who apprised Bhalla of the current law and order situation in the state. 'The governor held a security review meeting with senior administrative and security officials. During the meeting, a comprehensive discussion and review of various matters relating to the current law and order situation in the state were deliberated,' it said. The security advisor, the director general of police, the commissioner (home), the secretary to the governor, the additional director general of police (law and order), IGAR (S), the inspector general, CRPF and other senior officials were present during the meeting. 'Today, a group of MLAs called on Governor of Manipur, Ajay Kumar Bhalla, at Raj Bhavan during which the MLAs apprised the governor of the current law and order situation in the state and requested his intervention to help find an amicable solution,' the Raj Bhavan statement said. The governor told the delegation that all 'necessary steps are being taken to address the concerns and to restore normalcy', it said. Protests were held across Manipur on Saturday night over the arrests of leaders of the Meitei organisation Arambai Tenggol, prompting the administration to impose prohibitory orders and suspend internet services in five Imphal valley districts. BJP legislator K Ibomcha, who was part of the delegation, claimed after the meeting that altogether five people were arrested in connection with earlier incidents of violence, which triggered widespread protests in the northeastern state since Saturday. Among the five arrested people, one was apprehended by the CBI, he said. The CBI said it has arrested a member of the Meitei outfit Arambai Tenggol at Imphal Airport on Sunday for his alleged involvement in various criminal activities related to Manipur violence in 2023, while the police did not disclose details of the four others. More than 260 people have been killed and thousands rendered homeless in the ethnic violence between Meiteis and Kuki-Zo groups since May 2023. The Centre had on February 13 imposed the President's rule in the northeastern state after Chief Minister N Biren Singh resigned. The state assembly, which has a tenure till 2027, has been put under suspended animation.
