Security Agencies Suspect Kuki Militants in Filmed Meitei Man's Murder in Manipur
In a disturbing incident that has sent shockwaves through Manipur, security agencies suspect the involvement of a Kuki militant organization in the murder of a Meitei man, which was filmed and circulated online. The killing, occurring in Churachandpur on Wednesday, is now casting a significant shadow over the Centre's attempts to form a popular government in the state by early February.
Details of the Execution and Suspected Perpetrators
The victim, identified as Mayanglambam, was abducted along with his wife, Chingnu Haokip, from Nathjang village in the Kuki-dominated Churachandpur district by unidentified militants. While his wife was released after some time, Mayanglambam was shot dead. Although no organization has claimed responsibility, sources within the security establishment point to operatives of the United Kuki National Army (UKNA) as the likely culprits.
This group operates as a non-signatory to Suspension of Operations (SoO) agreements, unlike other Kuki groups that have been under truces since 2008. UKNA is estimated to have around 450 cadres armed with over 300 sophisticated weapons, maintaining camps in Manipur's hills and Myanmar. It emerged amid ethnic tensions, focusing on Kuki tribal interests without formal political wings.
Political Motives and Broader Implications
A senior security officer described the killing as a deliberate attempt to vitiate the atmosphere and spark fresh violence. The video of the execution included a superimposed message reading, 'No Peace, No Popular Government', indicating a political motive aimed at disrupting government formation efforts. Sources suggest the possibility of a larger conspiracy, with elements on both sides of the ethnic divide not wanting a popular government to be formed, potentially using UKNA cadres as a medium.
The victim had been staying in the village since December 19, and the mixed ethnicity of the couple was well-known. Mayanglambam married Haokip in 2022, before the ethnic violence began, and both were disowned by their families. He had recently returned from Nepal after obtaining permission from the Kuki National Organisation (KNO), a key SoO group in talks with the government.
Context of Recent Violence and Political Hurdles
This killing follows a sudden spurt of violence in Manipur, including an IED explosion on January 5 in Bishnupur district and a grenade attack on a fuel station on January 8, where police apprehended two members of the Meitei insurgent group KYKL. These incidents compound the political challenges faced by the Centre.
Kuki groups have hardened their stance, demanding a separate administration as a precondition for participating in a new government. At a recent meeting in Guwahati, Kuki-Zo insurgent groups and MLAs resolved that the Centre must provide a written political commitment on a Union Territory for Kuki-Zo-majority areas before the current Legislative Assembly's term ends in 2027.
This hardline position puts the Centre in a bind, as forming a government without Kuki MLAs lacks legitimacy, yet committing to separate administration before polls is not feasible. In the Valley, the BJP faces internal divisions, with factions within the state unit opposing government formation due to leadership disputes over the chief minister's post.
