Manipur Horror: Beheaded Two-Year-Old Found Amid Violence; Six Meitei Hostages Confirmed Dead in Earlier Tragedy Linked to Suspected Kuki Militants

The ongoing ethnic violence in Manipur took a horrifying turn as the beheaded body of a two-year-old boy was discovered in a river near Jiribam, alongside his grandmother’s partially decomposed remains. The child and his family members, all from the Meitei community, were abducted by suspected Kuki militants earlier this week. This tragedy follows the recovery of six hostages’ bodies, including women and children, who were also killed in captivity. The gruesome killings have sparked widespread anger and protests, further deepening the crisis in the conflict-ridden state.

Timeline of Hostage Abduction and Discovery

• Abduction Incident:
  • On November 7, 2023, six members of a Meitei family, including two children and an eight-month-old infant, were abducted by suspected Kuki militants during a confrontation with the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) in Jiribam’s Borobekra area.
  • The hostages included Laisharam Herojit’s wife, two children, mother-in-law, wife’s sister, and her son.
• Discovery of Bodies:
  • On Friday evening, the first three bodies were found floating in the Barak River near Jiribam. These were taken to the morgue at Silchar Medical College and Hospital (SMCH) in Assam.
  • By Saturday afternoon, three more bodies were recovered, bringing the total to six. The bodies were reported to be in an advanced state of decomposition, making identification challenging.
• Condition of Victims:
  • The body of a two-year-old boy was found headless, while his 60-year-old grandmother was discovered semi-naked and floating face down in the river. Other bodies showed signs of bloating and decomposition, indicating prolonged exposure.

Ongoing Clashes and Widening Tensions

• Violence in Jiribam:
  • The hostage situation unfolded alongside clashes in Jiribam, where suspected Kuki militants engaged in gunfights with the CRPF and allegedly vandalized and torched homes.
  • The CRPF reported killing 10 Kuki militants in the Borobekra area, who were allegedly armed with AK rifles, INSAS weapons, and RPGs. However, the Kuki community has claimed these individuals were “village volunteers” and not militants.
• Retaliatory Killings:
  • Prior to the hostage killings, a woman from the Hmar tribe was allegedly raped, shot, and burned to death in Zairawn village by suspected Meitei militants on November 7.
  • In retaliation, suspected Kuki militants abducted the six Meitei hostages during an encounter in Borobekra.

Political and Social Reactions

• Protests in Imphal:
  • Protests erupted in Imphal following the recovery of the bodies, with demonstrators vandalizing properties, including the residences of ruling BJP MLAs, and attempting to storm the Chief Minister’s bungalow.
  • The protesters accused the government of inaction and failing to launch a timely rescue operation.
• Kuki Protests in Silchar:
  • Members of the Kuki community staged demonstrations outside SMCH, demanding the bodies of the 10 individuals killed in Jiribam be handed over to them. The protesters clashed with police, resulting in a lathi-charge.
• Political Statements:
  • Minister of State Ramdas Athawale condemned the killings, stating: “Six innocent lives from the Meitei community were killed by Kuki terrorists. Terrorism must be punished severely.”
  • Former Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh expressed willingness to resign along with other MLAs if it would help resolve the crisis, highlighting the breakdown of governance in the state.

Ethnic Tensions and Historical Context

• Root Causes of Violence:
  • The conflict between the Meitei and Kuki tribes stems from disputes over land rights, political representation, and community dominance.
  • The fragile peace in Jiribam, a key district on the Assam-Manipur border, has been repeatedly shattered by retaliatory violence.
• Impact on Civilians:
  • Both communities have suffered significant losses, with widespread displacement, destruction of property, and civilian casualties. The violence has also disrupted essential services and education.

Humanitarian Concerns and Call for Action

• Crisis for Families:
  • The abduction and execution of the Meitei family underscore the humanitarian toll of the conflict. Survivors like Laisharam Herojit, who lost his entire family, remain traumatized and call for justice.
• Breakdown of Governance:
  • The lack of effective law enforcement and delayed rescue efforts have drawn severe criticism from civil society groups and political leaders, who demand immediate intervention from both state and central governments.
• Need for Peace Initiatives:
  • As violence spirals further, community leaders and security forces must prioritize dialogue and reconciliation to restore peace in the region

Source: NDTV