Imphal, 14 November (H.S.): Tensions have escalated in Manipur's Senapati and

Kangpokpi districts following the killing of a farmer and injuries to two

others in an armed attack near Taphou Kuki village, with tribal organisations

taking opposing positions over the ensuing protests and shutdown.

The Senapati District Students' Association (SDSA) has

condemned the killing of civilians but opposed the 48-hour shutdown called by

the Committee on Tribal Unity (CoTU), warning against attempts to obstruct

public movement or assert authority over areas falling within the Naga

ancestral homeland.

In a statement, the SDSA said the loss of innocent lives

could not be justified under any circumstances, irrespective of community or

identity. However, it cautioned CoTU against invoking tribal unity to advance

sectional interests or claim to represent all tribal communities in Manipur.

The association said it would not tolerate any unlawful

blockade or disruption of public movement and asserted that it would take

collective action to safeguard public security and existing administrative

jurisdictions if such incidents continued.

Meanwhile, normal life remained affected in Kangpokpi

district on Saturday as the second day of CoTU's 48-hour total shutdown

continued. The shutdown, which began on November 12, was scheduled to conclude

at 5 pm on Saturday.

Hundreds of Kuki-Zo community members staged sit-in protests

at Saparmeina and Kangpokpi town, accusing the state government of failing to

respond adequately to the November 12 attack in which 42-year-old farmer

Kimneineng Chongloi was killed and two other farmers were critically injured

while harvesting paddy.

The protesters demanded the immediate removal of what they

described as an unauthorised NSCN-IM Huthrong Brigade camp at Oklong in

Senapati district. They also sought the withdrawal of security personnel

operating under the Senapati Superintendent of Police from Kangpokpi district.

CoTU spokesperson Ng.

Lun Kipgen questioned the effectiveness of the security arrangements, pointing

out that the farmers had come under attack despite being provided official

security cover through the Senapati police.

Kipgen alleged that the government's failure to act on

CoTU's Charter of Demands had contributed to the prevailing situation and

called for Deputy Chief Minister Losii Dikho to resign on moral grounds.

With the seven-day ultimatum issued by CoTU to the

government expiring without a resolution, the spokesperson said the

organisation would hold public consultations to decide its future course of

action. He reiterated that meaningful negotiations would require changes to the

security command structure in the fringe areas.

In a separate statement, the Kuki Women Organisation for

Human Rights (KWOHR) condemned the killing of Chongloi and the critical

injuries sustained by Sehngam, alias David Chongloi, and Lamkhochon Chongloi in

the attack between Taphou Kuki and Kailenjang villages.

The organisation alleged the involvement of cadres of the

NSCN-IM and ZUF-K in the incident and urged the Centre, the Manipur government

and the National Human Rights Commission to order a time-bound and impartial

investigation.

It also called for comprehensive medical assistance to the

injured and adequate security deployment to protect vulnerable hill

settlements. The organisation said the deceased farmer had been found holding a

sickle, suggesting that she was engaged in routine agricultural work when the

attack took place.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Abhijit Deb