Manipur update - Beheadings & more arson in the state

Following an appeal from Home Minister Amit Shah, Kuki groups United Peoples' Front (UPF) and Kuki National Organisation (KNO) abandoned their two-month-long blockade of the national highway in Manipur's Kangpokpi district on Sunday. Even so, violent occurrences persisted, resulting in at least four more killings in the conflict-torn region.

Since violence broke out in Manipur on May 3, National Highway-2, which connects Imphal with Dimapur in Nagaland, has been shut, obstructing the flow of essential commodities. Early in June, the blockage was momentarily removed following a plea made by Union Home Minister Amit Shah while visiting the state. However, it was reinstated a few days later on June 9 when three members of the Kuki-Zomi community were killed there.

Three "village volunteers" from the Meitei community were killed in an exchange of fire with unidentified gunmen while guarding the area in a makeshift bunker in Khoijumantabi, in the Bishnupur district, in the valley, as the situation in the state continued to be tense.

Ningombam Ibomcha (34), Naorem Rajkumar (26), and Haobam Ibocha (44), according to IE, were the deceased.

In the Churachandpur district's Langza, a Hmar-Kuki village, a fourth victim was beheaded on Sunday. The beheading of the man was confirmed by the police.

According to a statement released on Sunday by the two umbrella Kuki organizations, the UPF and the KNO, the blockade would be removed immediately, "to ensure uninterrupted supply of essential commodities in the state."

The statement stated, Shah's "deep concern to restore peace and harmony in the state and [to] alleviate the plight of people in general" was taken into consideration when the decision was made, according to The Indian Express.

Chief Minister Biren Singh stated on Saturday night that he had spoken to Kuki community members that day in an effort to promote peace and reconciliation.

While speaking to ANI, he said, “I spoke to some brothers and sisters from the Kuki community on the telephone and said that what has happened has happened. Now is the time to forgive and forget, reconcile and live together.”