Amid escalating violence in Manipur, Kuki militants have launched relentless attacks on Meitei villages, exposing a troubling lack of coordination between Assam Rifles and Manipur Police. Villagers face terror from gunfire and bombs while expressing frustration at the security forces’ inaction. Discover the full story of resilience and unanswered pleas for safety.
BY PC Bureau
The ongoing violence in Manipur has intensified following recent attacks by heavily armed Kuki militants on Meitei villages, triggering outrage among the Meitei community. The lack of coordination between Assam Rifles and the state police has become a focal point of frustration, with residents accusing authorities of failing to protect their communities effectively.
<blockquote class=”twitter-tweet”><p lang=”en” dir=”ltr”>One moot question every citizens asked themselves is why the hell <a href=”https://twitter.com/Spearcorps?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw”>@Spearcorps</a> <a href=”https://twitter.com/official_dgar?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw”>@official_dgar</a> blocked the passage of <a href=”https://twitter.com/manipur_police?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw”>@manipur_police</a> vehicles instead of neutralising <a href=”https://twitter.com/hashtag/KukiMilitants?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw”>#KukiMilitants</a> like CRPF did in <a href=”https://twitter.com/hashtag/Jiribam?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw”>#Jiribam</a>?<br>Is it their duty to collude with <a href=”https://twitter.com/hashtag/KukiMilitants?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw”>#KukiMilitants</a>?<a href=”https://t.co/7PFfvY4t87″>pic.twitter.com/7PFfvY4t87</a></p>— Tongjei Maril (@Tongjei_Maril) <a href=”https://twitter.com/Tongjei_Maril/status/1872673262632833153?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw”>December 27, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src=”https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js” charset=”utf-8″></script>
The attacks, which began on December 24, coincided with global Christmas celebrations, bringing turmoil to villages in Imphal East district, such as Sanasabi, Thamnapokpi, Shantikhongbal, Sabungkhok Khunou, and others near the state’s periphery. Armed militants reportedly launched their assaults from fortified hilltop bunkers in Kangpokpi district, unleashing relentless gunfire and bomb detonations on residential areas.
Active role of Central Armed Forces: ROADBLOCKS!
Deployed Central Forces are hampering the movement of Ambulances & Police vehicles at Thamnapokpi, Manipur but they are spectators when #KukiMilitants attack civilians.
On ground, bullets of Kuki Militant injured a few civilians. https://t.co/PoXs6yKAyZ pic.twitter.com/2ph9AYZSIN
— Johnson (@johnson63866214) December 27, 2024
Videos shared on social media vividly captured the chaos—automatic gunfire, bomb explosions, and villagers’ frantic cries urging one another to seek shelter in pits. Many fled their homes, seeking refuge in safer locations like Yangangpokpi, while others remained hidden, fearing for their lives.
Local residents expressed anger over the perceived inaction of security forces. A villager from Thamnapokpi stated that repeated appeals to authorities regarding ongoing attacks by Kuki militants went unanswered, claiming that central forces often acted as “mute spectators.” While state police and central forces retaliated sporadically, their efforts were described as inconsistent and inadequate to counter the militants’ advanced weaponry.
The crisis took a dramatic turn when a Manipur Police team attempting to rescue villagers was allegedly blocked by Assam Rifles personnel. This incident reflects a recurring pattern of clashes between the two security forces. In August 2023, Assam Rifles reportedly obstructed the police from pursuing militants after the murder of three Meitei men in Bishnupur district. A similar confrontation occurred in June 2023, when Assam Rifles blocked the gates of a police station, delaying rescue efforts.
The current wave of violence has left at least two individuals injured—a village volunteer suffered minor injuries from a bomb splinter, while a commando sustained a gunshot wound to the shoulder and remains hospitalized.
The militants have shown no signs of retreat, using sophisticated firearms and launching bombs with precision. Locals report that these attacks often target gatherings, such as those for MGNREGS work, resulting in heightened panic. Despite the presence of central forces in the area, Kuki militants have built bunkers and camps on nearby hills, allowing them to maintain their offensive with little resistance.
Frustrated by the army’s alleged inaction, local women’s groups and Meira Paibis staged protests, confronting Assam Rifles personnel and demanding action. In one instance, protesters forced security forces to withdraw from blocked roads, enabling the movement of state police teams.
The villagers have repeatedly urged the Chief Minister to take decisive action against the militants entrenched in the surrounding hills. However, these appeals have yielded little response. Meanwhile, questions remain unanswered about the source of the sophisticated weaponry used by the militants. Union Home Minister Amit Shah has previously raised concerns about looted arms from police armories in the valley but has yet to address the origins of the arms used by Kuki militants.
As attacks resumed on December 27, the Meitei community’s frustration has reached a boiling point. With the violence ongoing and little visible progress in containing the crisis, the region remains on edge, grappling with fear, displacement, and unanswered questions about the role of security forces in protecting its residents.
