IMPHAL: Indigenous Tribes Advocacy Committee (ITAC), a tribal body in Manipur, has called for a 24-hour vigilance and patrolling by central forces in areas dominated by the Kuki-Hmar-Zo tribes in Jiribam district of Manipur.
The ITAC has called for patrolling by central forces in Kuki-Hmar-Zo areas in Jiribam district of Manipur to prevent incidents of property destruction and theft allegedly carried out by Meitei miscreants and Arambai Tenggol.
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“We urge the competent authorities to immediately arrange a 24-hour vigil and patrolling by central forces in and around the localities inhabited by the indigenous tribals of Hmar, Kuki and Zomi in Jiribam to prevent further destruction and stealing of properties and items by Meitei miscreants and Arambai Tenggol,” the ITAC stated in the statement.
It may be mentioned here that fresh tension erupted in Jiribam on Thursday (June 13) as four shops belonging to members of the Hmar-Kuki-Zomi tribes were set ablaze, the Indigenous Tribes Advocacy Committee (ITAC) claimed.
In the statement, the ITAC condemned the incident and called for immediate action against the perpetrators.
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According to the ITAC, the shops, located in Hmar Veng, Kalinagar, and Meitei Leikai areas of Jiribam district in Manipur, were allegedly targeted by the Meitei armed group Arambai Tenggol.
The committee named the affected shop-owners and demanded swift arrest and legal action against those responsible.
“We urge the authorities to promptly apprehend the culprits and ensure they face appropriate punishment under the law,” the ITAC statement read.
The ITAC also highlighted areas in urgent need of protection, including Kalinagar Part 1 and 2, Hmar Veng, IB Leikai, Karong, Ranin Veng, Mission Compound, Vengnuam, Babupara Ward No. 4 (bazaar), and Uchathol.
The ITAC further reported that tensions have escalated in recent days, with incidents including the burning of 45 houses belonging to the Hmar-Kuki-Zomi tribes and the alleged kidnapping of 40-year-old L Lallianmuang from Vengnuam Dibong Khunou by Arambai Tenggol members.
Lallianmuang’s whereabouts remain unknown.
The ITAC further accused Arambai Tenggol of instigating unrest to maintain influence ahead of the 2027 assembly elections in Manipur.
The escalating tensions in Jiribam district of Manipur have led hundreds of Hmar-Kuki-Zomi tribe members and Meiteis to seek refuge in neighbouring Assam.
Meanwhile, over 900 Meiteis are residing in seven relief camps within Jiribam.
Jiribam district in Manipur, typically known for its ethnic diversity and previously untouched by major ethnic conflicts, recently saw unrest following the discovery of a mutilated body of a 59-year-old Meitei man and the alleged killing of a Kuki teen.
The situation in Jiribam remains tense, with authorities working to restore calm and prevent further escalation of ethnic tensions in the region.