The Youth’s Forum for Protection of Human Rights (YFPHR) on Friday appealed to the Government of India to stop the killing of civilians immediately and punish the killers, withdraw the Central Armed Forces from Manipur and respect the indigenous peoples’ right to life and self determination.
YFPHR strongly believes that all the killing of civilians and attacks to the unarmed civilians in the ongoing violence are taking place by unleashing the Kuki Militants though more than 60,000 Central forces are deployed in various parts of Manipur, stated a release.
On August 5, 2023, three unarmed civilians villagers, including a father and a son, were murdered in cold blood by Kuki militants at Kwakta Lamkhai Ward No VIII, Bishnupur district right under the nose of the Central forces posted to prevent the violence, it stated.
On September 8, 2023, a 15-year-old girl was injured when Kuki militants indiscriminately fired at the village in Koutruk. The militants reportedly launched the attack from three sides atop Koutruk Hill in which the central forces are mostly deployed, it said.
It further recalled that on November 17, 2023, Khwairakpam ningol Leichonbam ongbi Ibemcha who was shot by Kuki militants from Kangchup Hills where Central forces are deployed, on the morning of November 7 succumbed to her injuries at RIMS hospital, it added.
On January 10, four unarmed persons who went to collect the firewood were killed at Haotak Village of Bishnupur District where the Maha Regiment is deployed to protect the civilians, it mentioned.
On January 18, four villagers, including a father-son duo were killed in cold blood at Ningthoukhong Kha Khunou Maning under Bishnupur Police station where Sikh Regiment is being deployed to curb the violence, it mentioned. These attacks on civilians took place right in front of the central forces, it added.
YFPHR further stated that the above cited incidents are just the tips of the iceberg while the missing civilians, shooting at civilians etc are witnessed in various places such as Leitanpokpi, Kwakta, Moirang, and other places which left many civilians injured. Besides the presence of the Central forces, the killing of civilians has not stopped till date, it added.
This clearly indicates that the Central Forces are in nexus with the Kuki Militants under strict guidance of the Government of India to continue the violence in Manipur having their economic interests, YFPHR alleged.
