Kangpokpi: Anger and outrage swept across Sadar Hills Kangpokpi as all major Kuki Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) resolved to enforce a total shutdown across the district from midnight of June 10 in protest against the killing of a Kuki-Zo farmer, Haogin Lhouvum, at Lasan village in Tamenglong district on June 9.
In an extensive high-level meeting held at Kangpokpi district headquarters, leaders of various Kuki civil society organisations described the killing as a grim reminder of the worsening security crisis confronting Kuki-Zo villages across several districts of Manipur and accused the authorities of failing to provide adequate protection to vulnerable civilian populations.
The civil society organisations are also yet to decided on the burial the slain farmer, whose mortal remains is still at the district hospital morgue, where sustain condolence service are being held day and night.
Addressing the media after the meeting, Kuki CSOs Kangpokpi spokesperson Janghaolun Haokip said the district-wide shutdown would cover all business establishments, government and private institutions, educational institutions and vehicular movement.
He stated that the security situation in Kuki-Zo inhabited areas spanning Kangpokpi, Tamenglong, Ukhrul, Kamjong and other districts has deteriorated to an alarming level, leaving villagers exposed to repeated attacks and persistent fear.
“The killing of Haogin Lhouvum at Lasan village has once again exposed the grave security vulnerabilities in Kuki-Zo areas. Innocent civilians are being forced to live under constant threat and uncertainty,” he said.
Haokip further alleged that ten Kuki-Zo villages have been devastated in recent months while eleven Kuki-Zo civilians, including three church leaders, have lost their lives in attacks allegedly carried out by Tangkhul militant groups.
The Kuki civil society organisations demanded the immediate deployment of adequate security forces in Lasan and Thenjang villages in Tamenglong district and in all identified vulnerable Kuki-Zo areas whose details had already been submitted to the Government of Manipur.
The organisations also sought a time-bound judicial inquiry into the killings of eleven Kuki-Zo civilians, including three church leaders, and demanded the immediate arrest of the Makui Village Chief, village authorities and village guards allegedly responsible for or linked to the killing of Haogin Lhouvum.
Warning of intensified democratic agitation, Haokip said the Kuki civil society organisations would continue their protest movement until the demands are addressed.
The decision to withhold the burial of the slain villager reflects the deep anguish and growing frustration within the Kuki-Zo community, which maintains that repeated attacks on civilians and villages have gone unanswered despite repeated appeals for enhanced security and justice.
The district-wide shutdown is expected to bring normal life in Kangpokpi to a complete halt as pressure mounts on the state and central governments to respond to the demands raised by the Kuki civil society organisations.
