The Committee on Tribal Unity (CoTU) has issued a strong condemnation of the recent attack on the Kuki-Zo village of Kharam Vaiphei in Manipur’s Kangpokpi district. The assault, carried out by armed assailants using bombs and gunfire, occurred on Thursday morning and caused significant panic among the villagers, forcing many to seek refuge in safer locations. Fortunately, no casualties have been reported; however, CoTU noted that several houses sustained damage, and they warned that the situation could have escalated into a major tragedy had civilians not narrowly escaped the violence.
CoTU highlighted that Kharam Vaiphei has been a repeated target since the onset of ethnic violence in Manipur on May 3, 2023, pointing to the ongoing vulnerability of the village, which lies on the outskirts of the Kangpokpi district. The committee expressed concerns about the village’s constant threat from armed groups operating in the vicinity. In their statement, CoTU implicated members of the Zeliangrong United Front (ZUF), specifically the Kamson faction, labeling them as “misnomer gangsters” who act with impunity and are allegedly influenced by valley-based insurgent networks.
Furthermore, CoTU alleged that certain individuals are perpetuating hostility against the Kuki-Zo community through inflammatory narratives. They also raised serious concerns over reports of the alleged kidnapping of an elderly civilian, emphasizing that such acts exemplify a dangerous misuse of vigilante authority and contribute to an atmosphere of fear and psychological distress among the local population. CoTU’s comprehensive response underscores the urgent need for authorities to identify and apprehend those responsible for the attacks to prevent further escalation of violence in the conflict-ridden region.
