Disturbing videos depict Kuki women, bloodied and broken, allegedly at the hands of security forces. While some accusations point to these women sheltering militants, the excessive use of force, including rubber bullets and tear gas, has sparked outrage. With tensions high in Manipur’s ethnic conflict, Chief Minister Biren Singh’s failure to act is deeply troubling. The government must take swift action to investigate the incident and rebuild peace and trust in the region.
BY PC Bureau
The distressing videos of Kuki women, bloodied and bruised, with fractured limbs, demand urgent answers. Could such footage be fabricated? The brutality shown appears almost surreal, casting doubt on whether police or security forces could truly commit such acts. Yet, if these videos are authentic, the responsibility to act falls squarely on Chief Minister Biren Singh. Another apology will not suffice; he should visit the victims, acknowledge their suffering, and take concrete steps to rebuild the fractured trust between his administration and the Kuki community.
Govt Must Clarify Viral Videos of Bleeding Kuki Women
The need to clarify the situation is all the more pressing given the fact that parts of the Meitei community accuse Kuki women of harboring militants who allegedly used bunkers to attack Meitei villages. Reports suggest that Kuki women were transported to the sites in Yaingangpokpi Uyokching and Thamnaphokpi Uyokching from various Kuki-inhabited areas early in the morning, where they confronted security forces.
#Kuki_Zo women were seen mishandling the Indian Army at Saibol, an alarming display of how these uncivilized actions are disrupting efforts to restore peace in Manipur. This chaos enables #KukiTerrorists to roam the hills freely, armed and ready to launch attacks against the… pic.twitter.com/9c9APfNpma
— Ketuki (@KhumanSpeaks) December 31, 2024
According to official sources, the women vandalized property and tore their clothes in an attempt to stage a scene when they reached areas secured by central forces. When security personnel attempted to engage with them, the situation escalated, and tear gas and smoke bombs were deployed to disperse the mob. Some women reportedly tore their clothes to accuse security forces of harassment.
The demonstration turned violent when security forces allegedly used tear gas and physical force against the unarmed women, injuring more than 50. Among them, a 45-year-old woman was struck in the eye by a rubber bullet and had to be transferred to a hospital in Guwahati for treatment. Several other women were severely injured, their blood-soaked clothes a grim testament to the violence they endured.
#Kuki_Zo women were seen mishandling the Indian Army at Saibol, an alarming display of how these uncivilized actions are disrupting efforts to restore peace in Manipur. This chaos enables #KukiTerrorists to roam the hills freely, armed and ready to launch attacks against the… pic.twitter.com/9c9APfNpma
— Ketuki (@KhumanSpeaks) December 31, 2024
This violent incident has sparked widespread outrage, with many Kuki-Zo community members accusing security forces of assault and humiliation. Social media has been flooded with posts amplifying these claims, and voices of indignation have been raised across platforms.
Whatever may be the provocations, if the videos are genuine, the indifference displayed by Chief Minister Biren Singh is deeply troubling. Instead of defending his forces, he should have immediately ordered an inquiry and promised swift action against any who used excessive force.
The women’s wing of the Indigenous Tribal Leaders’ Forum reported that over 30 women were seriously injured, with one losing her eye in the attack. The Kuki Women Union (KWU) emphasized that Saibol-Twiching lies within Kuki territory, outside the buffer zones separating Kuki and Meitei communities.
The ethnic conflict in Manipur, which erupted on May 3 of the previous year, has already claimed over 250 lives, deepening divisions between Kuki-Zo tribal communities in the hill districts and the Meitei population in the Imphal valley. Tensions remain high, with tribal groups accusing central forces of bias, favoring the Meitei population, and calling for the withdrawal of security forces.
Biren Singh might argue that maintaining law and order requires allowing security forces the freedom to act. However, his administration’s inconsistency raises serious questions. Why did the police and security forces didn’t go after the members of Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI) when they blatantly disregarded his appeal, shutting down government offices on November 27-28? The COCOMI students’ wing led the charge, forcibly closing offices, ejecting staff, and locking premises—actions they had previously announced as part of their protest against both the state and central governments for failing to meet their demands.
#Kuki_Zo women were seen mishandling the Indian Army at Saibol, an alarming display of how these uncivilized actions are disrupting efforts to restore peace in Manipur. This chaos enables #KukiTerrorists to roam the hills freely, armed and ready to launch attacks against the… pic.twitter.com/9c9APfNpma
— Ketuki (@KhumanSpeaks) December 31, 2024
The Chief Minister’s selective enforcement of law and order is indefensible. If he truly seeks to lead with integrity, his government must address these allegations head-on, hold those responsible accountable, and begin to rebuild trust among all communities.
The failure of the state administration in handling the Saibol situation is condemnable. In a volatile region like Manipur, force alone cannot resolve these standoffs.
It is time for Chief Minister Biren Singh to order an impartial investigation into this incident and to reach out to the Kuki community to ensure that such events do not repeat. Security forces may need a free hand to deal with armed militants, but not against unarmed women.
Manipur needs a healing touch, not more tear gas and rubber bullets.
