On Friday (3rd January), a Kuki mob attacked the police in Saibol village in Kangpokpi district of Manipur.
According to reports, the extremists attacked the offices of the Superintendent of Police (SP) and the Deputy Commissioner. In visuals that have surfaced online, SP Manoj Prabhakar could be seen bleeding from his forehead.
Kukis were seen armed with sophisticated weapons and dressed in camouflage. Reportedly, the Kuki-backed Committee on Tribal Unity (CoTU) had announced a ‘total shutdown’ in the region against the deployment of central forces.
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— Bikramjit Kangabam (@BikramjitMK) January 3, 2025
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?????? ?????? ??????‼️#KukiZo mob have stormed and are attacking the SP office in #Kangpokpi right now, throwing stones and… pic.twitter.com/JOm4MQT922
They had been ‘protesting’ against the possession of ‘community bunkers’ by the central forces in Saibol village and the alleged lathi charge on women on Tuesday (31st December).
As such, CoTu had called for an ‘economic blockade’ until central forces were removed from Saibol. On Friday (3rd January), Kukis carried out protests throughout the day.
In the evening, they laid siege to the office of the Superintendent of Police and tried to seal it. They vandalised the premises and destroyed several vehicles. Kukis also pelted stones and petrol bombs at the police.
Today (03.01.2025) in Kangpokpi District, a protest rally organized by CoTU became violent on their demand to withdraw Central Security Forces deployed at Saibol village. The violent protestors attacked the office of Superintendent of Police Kangpokpi by pelting stones and petrol…
— Manipur Police (@manipur_police) January 3, 2025
The central forces intervened and fired blanks and tear gas shells to disperse the violent Kuki mob. According to CoTU, around 15 people were injured and 11 of them were admitted to ICU.
In a statement on X (formerly Twitter), the Manipur police informed, ” Huge contingents of security forces have been deployed to tackle the situation. The situation is now under control and being closely monitored.”
Meanwhile, the Committee on Tribal Unity has announced an extension of ‘total shutdown’ for more 24 hours.
