Latest news with #Kuki-majority
Time of India
14-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Kuki group warns Meiteis not to enter their areas during upcoming festival
IMPHAL: A group in Manipur has warned Meiteis not to enter the Kuki-majority areas during a five-day festival to be held in Ukhrul district next week. Ethnic clashes between the two warring sides in the northeastern state have left at least 260 people dead and thousands homeless since May 2023. "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 Kuki Zo Village Volunteer Eastern Zone said in a statement. People from various parts of the state visit Ukhrul during the Shirui festival, to be held between May 20 and 24. The route from Imphal, where Meiteis are in the majority, to Ukhrul passes through certain villages where Kukis are the dominant force. In Ukhrul district, however, the Naga tribal people are in majority. Manipur DGP Rajiv Singh recently visited Ukhrul district to review the preparations for the annual festival held to honour the state flower of Shirui Lily, found in abundance in the hills of Ukhrul district. Popular Tangkhul Naga social worker Asang Kashar condemned the warning. "This is directly a challenge to every citizen of Manipur and shows they (Kukis) are against peace," Kashar said.
Time of India
04-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
FIR registered over 'gun salute' in memory of ethnic violence victims in Manipur's Kangpokpi; firearms seized
IMPHAL: Police have filed an FIR regarding a reported 'gun salute' commemorating victims of ethnic violence in Manipur's Kangpokpi district. Authorities recovered five firearms from Saikul, where the alleged 'gun salute' took place on Saturday, marking two years since ethnic conflicts began in May 2023, according to a senior police official. The northeastern state witnessed a shutdown and mass gatherings on May 3, commemorating two years of unrest between the Imphal valley-based Meiteis and Kuki-Zo communities in hill districts. "The 'gun salute' was given by armed men during a function in the Kuki-majority Kangpokpi district to observe the second anniversary of the outbreak of the ethnic violence," the officer said. In a statement, the police said, "In connection with the 'gun salute' incident at Saikul, Kangpokpi district on Saturday, an FIR has been registered. Local leaders and elders were summoned to the police station. Raids have been conducted in different areas to arrest the miscreants." by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Busan-gwangyeoksi: AI guru Andrew Ng recommends: Read These 5 Books And Turn Your Life Aroun... Blinkist: Andrew Ng's Reading List Undo Police officials have seized five single-barrel guns and camouflage uniforms. The senior officer confirmed that the programme organisers would face legal consequences. The ethnic clashes between Imphal Valley-based Meiteis and hill-based Kuki-Zo groups have resulted in over 260 casualties and displaced thousands of residents since May 2023. On February 13, the Centre implemented President's rule in the northeastern state following chief minister N Biren Singh's resignation. The state assembly, with its tenure extending until 2027, remains under suspended animation.
Time of India
03-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Manipur marks 2 years of ethnic violence with shutdown, memorials
1 2 Imphal: Life came to a grinding halt in the Imphal Valley Kuki-majority hill districts on Saturday as people marked two years of ethnic violence that erupted between the Meitei and Kuki-Zo communities on May 3, 2023. Markets downed shutters, education institutions were closed, vehicles remained off the roads, and attendance in offices was almost nil. Pharmacies were shut in Imphal. The "Peoples' Convention" marking two years of violence in the state was held at Khuman Lampak stadium complex organised by the Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI), while the Kuki-Zo community observed a solemn 'Day of Separation' with memorial events at the Wall of Remembrance and Sehken Burial Site in Churachandpur. In Imphal, a candlelight vigil to honour the victims was held at Kangla later in the evening. A similar programme was also held in Kangpokpi organised by the Zomi Students' Federation (ZSF) and the Kuki Students Organisation (KSO). by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Click Here - This Might Save You From Losing Money Expertinspector Click Here Undo The violence that erupted on May 3, 2023, and has continued since then, had claimed over 260 lives, injured over 1,500, and displaced more than 70,000 people. Deep scars of the conflict lie embedded in the lives of thousands still living as Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in overcrowded relief camps and prefabricated shelters. Despite the resignation of N Biren Singh as chief minister and the imposition of the President's rule in Feb, normalcy remains elusive and community demands have hardened. While the Kukis want a separate administration, Meitei groups demanding NRC implementation and deportation of "illegal immigrants" have become even more rigid. Even as arms and ammunition were surrendered, armed groups have increasingly taken control of both the communities, fuelling extortion and recruiting disillusioned youths. Meanwhile, skill development and govt's livelihood initiatives to ease the overwhelming psychological distress and economic despair faced by displaced families are of much help for IDPs in relief camps. As the shutdown marks a grim anniversary, hope remains a distant dream for Manipur's displaced — still yearning not just for peace, but for a return to dignity, stability and home. The IDPs in both camps wish to return to their own homes where they once belonged. And that has become a distant dream for now.
