The social media handles have been flooded with visuals of alleged civilians carrying sophisticated weapons such as AK-47s amid tribal groups’ protest over a court order on Scheduled Tribe status at Churachandpur.
Sources claim that the protestors are said to be members of a suspended Kuki tribal militant who have halted their operation with the Centre, however, the authenticity of the claim is yet to be verified.
Nearly 11 civilians have been reported injured while 2 others have succumbed to bullet injuries at Saikul under Kangpokpi district in Manipur on May 3.
The situation turned for the worse on the night of May 3 after clashes broke out in several parts of Manipur’s hill districts during the ongoing ATSUM’s (All Tribal Students’ Union, Manipur) solidarity march protesting against the Meitei’s demand for inclusion in Scheduled Tribe (ST) list.
Sources state that among the injured civilians, five were admitted to hospital with bullet injuries among which two have succumbed to their injuries.
While the situation in Manipur continues to remain tense, additional Paramilitary Forces have been roped in to bring the situation under control.
Earlier in March 2023, the Manipur government decided to rescind its ceasefire pact with militant groups Kuki National Army (KNA) and Zomi Revolutionary Army (ZRA), claiming that their leaders were not from the state. The decision followed a recent allegation that the leadership of these two Kuki rebel groups is from Myanmar.