Manipur in mourning: Locals voice anger over state leadership following brutal death of 13 people in firing incident

Despite Manipur CM N Biren Singh's recent assertion of peace and celebratory cake-cutting at the BJP headquarters in Imphal for election victories, the stark reality unfolded as thousands mourned at the mortuary, claiming the bodies of 13 Meitei individuals slain by Kuki Militants in Tengnoupal District just days earlier.

In the midst of grieving, a collective sentiment emerged as people voiced their anger, asserting that Manipur, under CM N Biren Singh's leadership, has become a lawless state. A bereaved mother, whose child fell victim to the Kuki Militant attack, stoically declared, "I won't cry for my son's death. Many youths have lost their lives—they are all my sons. Today, I will cry for our motherland, Manipur."

Undeterred, the grieving mother expressed that while the Chief Minister, Ministers, and MLAs may have the means to escape to other states for safety, the impoverished citizens cannot afford such luxuries. She emphasized the collective need to preserve their homeland, urging all the youth to stand up for Manipur. Proudly declaring, "I am proud that my son lost his life for the motherland," she echoed a poignant call for solidarity and resilience in the face of adversity.
Roji Thingom, grappling with the profound loss of her elder brother Rocky Thingom in the Kuki militants' attack, shared the additional burden of her mother's battle against cancer. Contemplating the difficult conversations that lie ahead, she questioned, "What would I tell my mother if she asks about the whereabouts of my brother?"

In a sombre recounting, Roji detailed the harrowing circumstances surrounding her brother's demise. He was not merely a casualty of gunfire, but rather, he had been captured, subjected to merciless beatings, and ultimately killed by the Kuki militants. 

Expressing her anguish, Roji emphasized the brutality of his fate, stating, "Had he died in a gunfight, I would say it was fair. But he was captured, tortured, and killed." Her poignant words shed light on the profound tragedy and the grim realities faced by those who have lost loved ones in the ongoing turmoil.

Amidst her grief, Roji, driven by a fervent call for justice, passionately urged the people of the state to avenge not just the loss of her brother Rocky but also the lives of all those who fell victim to the brutal acts of the Kuki militants. "I will also join in avenging the death of my brother," she declared, embodying a resolute spirit in the face of tragedy.

A grieving woman while slamming Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh said, "you keep saying that peace has been restored but where is that peace. People keep dying everyday. Is this what you called peace? Our houses have been burnt down..our children are being killed everyday...It's been more than 7 months that we have been living in relief camps...who are we waiting for? what are we waiting for...is this what you called peace"

"You haven't seen death in your family so you keep saying that there is peace in the state...so many Meiteis have been killed", added the grieving woman. 

In a collective decision, the grieving families of the 13 victims have chosen to cremate their loved ones in Andro, located in the Imphal East district. During the assembly, people emphasized that the families of the victims should not merely accept compensation and job offers from the government. They underscored the critical need to reject this pattern, as doing so, they argued, could lead to more tragic losses of loved ones in the future.