IT News,
Imphal, June 7:
Federation of Civil Society (FOCS) Manipur has raised concerns that the peace committee, consisting of prominent civil society organization leaders, district administration, and Assam Rifles, is a ploy to commit genocide against the Meiteis in Jiribam district. It said that the incident is an attempt to drive out Meitei from Jiribam. This allegation follows the beheading of a Meitei man by miscreants suspected to be Kuki militants.
A statement by the FOCS said that Soibam Saratkumar, 60, from Sorok Atingbi in Jiribam District, was kidnapped by Kuki militants while returning from his farm at Leishabithol. He was abducted near Khasia Punzi, and his mutilated body was later found at Mulargao Hills, showing signs of severe torture.
Subsequently, the farm of Kh Janaki, ex-Adhyaksha of Jiribam, was burned down, as was another Meitei house in Nungkhal.
Earlier, on March 28, Lamtai Khunou in Jiribam was attacked with bombs, causing widespread panic. Three shops belonging to Manikumar Haobam were destroyed in this attack. Additionally, a Meitei driver was killed after being severely beaten at Keiphundai.
FOCS stated that “despite the existence of a peace committee consisting of CSO leaders, the DC, Assam Rifles, and the police—whom the Meiteis of Jiribam had trusted—the committee failed to prevent aggression from Kuki militants.” “The lack of action by the district administration, police, and Assam Rifles to maintain law and order raises suspicions that there may be a plan to eliminate the Meitei in Jiribam,” FOCS asserted.
Activists from JIMPAL, JDO, AMSU, JAKCAL, UJYL, and CADA have evacuated the Meiteis to the Chingdong Leikai Primary School Relief Camp for their safety, the statement added.