Imphal: The Kuki Human Rights Forum (KHRF) on Saturday condemned the fatal shooting of a civilian woman during a protest in Chassad village in Manipur’s Kamjong district, demanding an immediate judicial inquiry and the deployment of neutral central security forces.
According to the Forum, Domkhonei Touthang, wife of Lallenmang Touthang, died on Friday night after sustaining a bullet injury to her lower neck. The incident reportedly occurred around 9.40 pm when personnel of the India Reserve Battalion (IRB), stationed at Chassad, allegedly opened fire on a gathering of local women.
The women had assembled around 9 pm to protest the alleged arbitrary arrest and unlawful detention of local youths by Tangkhul IRB personnel, the KHRF said. Touthang is survived by her husband, three sons and two daughters.
In a statement, the rights organisation described the killing as barbaric and alleged that firing live ammunition at unarmed civilians exercising their right to protest amounted to a serious crime. It further accused sections of the state machinery of systematically oppressing the Kuki population, claiming that alleged links between security personnel and certain local groups had undermined the neutrality and credibility of law enforcement.
The KHRF also alleged that Tangkhul militants in Kamjong district were working in coordination with the Shanni Nationalities Army (SNA), a Myanmar-based outfit, and moving freely in border areas. The organisation claimed that such alleged cooperation between armed groups operating within India and foreign elements posed a threat to national security and territorial integrity. These allegations of cross-border collusion have not been independently verified by central agencies.
Expressing solidarity with the bereaved family, the Forum urged the Government of India and the Union Ministry of Home Affairs to intervene immediately.
Its demands include a time-bound and independent judicial inquiry into the shooting, the immediate arrest and prosecution of the IRB personnel allegedly responsible, and the release of the detained youths from Chassad.
The organisation also called for the immediate deployment of neutral central security forces to protect Kuki villages, arguing that the existing security arrangements had failed to inspire public confidence.
The KHRF maintained that no individual or institution should be above the law and called for swift action to ensure justice and restore public confidence in the rule of law.