IMPHAL: A Sub Divisional Police Officer (SDPO) Chingtham Anand was shot dead by suspected Kuki militants in Moreh town of India’s Manipur state, bordering Myanmar, according to a statement released by the state government. The police officer was on duty overseeing the cleaning of a school ground for the construction of a helipad when the assailants opened indiscriminate fire at him.
This unfortunate incident comes amidst escalating ethnic violence between the Kuki and Meitei communities, a conflict that originated from protests against the Meitei community’s demand for inclusion in the Scheduled Tribes list. Since May 3, the state has witnessed intense clashes, resulting in the deaths of over 200 people and the displacement of nearly 60,000 individuals.
Expressing his grief, Chief Minister N Biren Singh vowed to bring the perpetrators of Anand’s killing to justice. In a tweet, he stated, “Deeply saddened by the cold-blooded murder of SDPO Chingtham Anand, OC Moreh Police this morning. His dedication to serve and protect the people will always be remembered.”
Deeply saddened by the cold-blooded killing of SDPO Chingtham Anand, OC Moreh Police this morning. His dedication to serve and protect the people will always be remembered. The perpetrators will be brought to justice.
— N.Biren Singh (Modi Ka Parivar) (@NBirenSingh) October 31, 2023
Extremely Volatile Situation in Manipur
During a state Cabinet meeting, the Bharatiya Janata Party-led government ordered a joint operation in Moreh and surrounding areas to apprehend those responsible for the attack. Additional state forces are being deployed to Moreh from the state capital, Imphal, as part of the efforts to enhance security in the region.
In light of the incident, the state Cabinet decided to recommend to the Central government the declaration of the World Kuki-Zo Intellectual Council as an unlawful organization under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act.
This decision followed the council’s press release on October 24, indicating preparations for potential conflict in November, leading the government to raise concerns about stockpiling arms and ammunition.
Responding to Anand’s killing, the Indigenous Tribal Leaders’ Forum (ITLF), representing the Kuki-Zo people, criticized the Manipur government’s response, highlighting an alleged disparity in the treatment of citizens based on their ethnic identities. The ITLF referred to the killing of Kuki police sub-inspector Onkhomang Haokip in September and claimed that Manipur Police officials and Meitei insurgents were targeting Kuki-Zo villages around Moreh.
