Villagers in Manipur's Sinakeithei protest alleged militant firing, seek relocation of SoO camps

Residents of Sinakeithei village in Manipur’s Ukhrul district staged a sit-in protest on May 6 against the continued firing allegedly carried out by suspected Kuki militants in the area.

 

The demonstration, organised by the Sinakeithei Shanao Long, highlighted growing concerns over safety and the impact of the violence on daily life. Protesters said repeated incidents of firing and the use of explosives over the past two months have disrupted normal activities in the village and created an atmosphere of fear among residents.

 

Holding placards carrying messages such as “Stop firing”, “Relocate SoO camps from Naga hill”, “Withdraw SoO” and “Stop terrorising unarmed civilians”, the demonstrators urged authorities to prevent the village from becoming a conflict zone.

 

A teacher from Model English School, Sinakeithei, who took part in the protest, alleged that armed groups had set up bunkers in the Lungter hill range in violation of the Suspension of Operations (SoO) agreement. She demanded that the camps and bunkers be relocated, stating that their presence had created panic among villagers.

 

She said the ongoing unrest had severely affected children and their education, with fear and uncertainty replacing a normal learning environment. According to her, students in the village have been living under constant anxiety due to the situation.

 

The protesters also appealed to the government to take immediate steps to restore peace and security in the region. They said residents of Sinakeithei had contributed to different sectors, including public service and defence, and deserved to live without fear.