Manipur Violence Escalates as Meitei Man Executed on Camera During Visit to Kuki Fiancée
A horrifying incident of ethnic violence has rocked Manipur, where a 31-year-old Meitei man was brutally abducted and executed on camera while visiting his Kuki fiancée in Churachandpur district. The killing has triggered widespread outrage and renewed tensions across the strife-torn state, prompting immediate government intervention and investigation.
Abduction and Execution Caught on Camera
According to police reports, the victim, identified as M Rishikanta (31), was kidnapped by armed miscreants from his fiancée's residence at Tuibong in Churachandpur district around 6:30 PM on Wednesday evening. The technical engineer, who worked at a firm in Nepal, had been staying at his fiancée's home since December 19th, having traveled to Manipur ahead of Christmas celebrations.
Hours after his abduction, Rishikanta's body was discovered near Natjang village in the same district. The perpetrators released a chilling video showing the victim's final moments, where he was shot twice despite pleading for his life. The video, which circulated widely on social media platforms, carried the ominous message "No Peace, No Popular Government".
Widespread Protests and Community Outrage
On Thursday, protests erupted at Kakching Khunou, Rishikanta's native village in Kakching district, where local residents blocked the Wabagai-Sugnu road to condemn the brutal killing. The incident has further strained the already tense relations between Meitei and Kuki communities in Manipur.
Family members revealed that the couple had reportedly taken permission from the Kuki National Organisation (KNO), an umbrella body of Kuki insurgent groups, for Rishikanta's stay in Churachandpur. However, the KNO has categorically denied any knowledge of the visit or involvement in his death.
Investigation and Government Response
The Manipur government has taken serious note of the incident, with Governor AK Bhalla informing a delegation of the Joint Action Committee (JAC) formed over the killing that the case is being handed over to the National Investigation Agency (NIA) for a thorough and impartial investigation. The JAC, led by Lok Sabha MP Dr Angomcha Bimol Akoijamth, submitted a memorandum conveying community concerns and seeking appropriate action.
"Governor further informed the delegation that intensive combing operations have been launched since last night to apprehend those responsible, with coordinated efforts involving both state and central forces. These operations are being undertaken on a war footing," stated the Manipur Lok Bhavan in an official communication.
Post-Mortem and Identification Challenges
A post-mortem examination was conducted on Thursday in Churachandpur under challenging circumstances. Family members had to identify the body virtually through a video call as they could not travel to Churachandpur due to security concerns. Kakching SP L Priyadarshini personally met with the grieving family and facilitated the identification process.
Sources indicated that the body was scheduled to be handed over to Kakching Police on Thursday, though the transfer faced logistical challenges given the volatile security situation in the region.
Demands for Accountability and Preventive Measures
The Joint Action Committee has put forth several demands in response to the killing, including:
- Immediate measures to prevent similar incidents in the future
- Intensive operations against armed Kuki militants operating in the hills
- Disciplinary action against the Churachandpur Superintendent of Police and central forces deployed in the area
The committee has alleged failure on the part of security forces to take preventive steps that could have averted the tragedy. Police have registered a case in connection with the incident, though the perpetrators remain unidentified at this time.
This brutal killing has highlighted the persistent ethnic tensions in Manipur and raised serious questions about inter-community relationships and security arrangements in conflict-affected areas of the northeastern state.
