Manipur home minister Govindas Konthoujam on Friday said the Suspension of Operations (SoO) pact with Kuki militant groups had not been extended, as security forces stepped up a crackdown following the killing of three Meitei youths in Imphal East earlier this week.
Eighteen cadres were found inside Sinai camp (a Kuki militant designated camp in Kangpokpi district) during security operation recently. Three people were killed and three others were injured. Both villages are in the Meitei-dominated Imphal East district, bordering the Kuki-dominated Kangpokpi district. Police suspect their involvement in the killings, but further details are expected to emerge from the ongoing investigation.
He said 18 cadres found at a designated Kuki militant camp in Kangpokpi district were being investigated, with 17 set to be formally arrested on Friday as their identities and affiliations were established. Among them one was identified as a cadre of Kuki National Front (KNF) (a Kuki militants outfit under the two umbrella group) while the identities and affiliations of the remaining 17 cadres are yet to be established. All the 17 will be formally arrested on Friday,” said Konthoujam. Around 9 am on Monday, militants opened fire on 16 firewood collectors — all belonging to the Meitei community — at Khongban Sunurok village in Imphal East district. Police said the deceased were identified as Lairenlakpam Inaobi, 57, and Arubam Ronin, 35, both from Nongshum village, and Keshtrimayum Sushil, 32, from Uyumpok village. This is the first incident of conflict between Meiteis and Kukis since July 13, when armed Kuki groups attacked Meitei residents in Bishnupur’s Torbung Bangla. In the last few months, at least 50 people have died in the northeastern state, the majority in clashes between Nagas and Kukis.
“There is no SoO agreement in existence in the state and therefore the question of violation of SoO ground rules does not arise.
Security forces subsequently apprehended three individuals, two of whom allegedly admitted to involvement in the assault, police had said. Interrogation of the three suspects was underway, Konthoujam said, adding that one was suspected to be a cadre of the KNF (N).
