Talks stall as Kuki groups set new conditions for release of Meitei hostages
- In Reports
- 09:42 PM, Oct 02, 2024
- Myind Staff
Kuki groups engaged in negotiations with the government for the release of two Meitei hostages in violence-stricken Manipur have introduced additional conditions for their release. Meanwhile, a 48-hour shutdown calling for their safe rescue brought Imphal to a standstill on Wednesday.
Last Friday, Kuki militants abducted three Meitei youths, with one being released the following day. Since Monday, the Manipur Police chief has been in discussions with Kuki organisations in the Kangpokpi district to secure the release of the remaining two hostages. A second round of talks was held, but as of late Tuesday, no progress had been made.
While protesting against the abduction, businesses were shut down, and transport services were suspended. All government institutions, schools, and colleges remained closed due to Gandhi Jayanti the shutdown passed without any reports of untoward incidents.
The Joint Action Committee, formed to demand the release of the two youths, initially called for a shutdown starting at 3 a.m. on Tuesday in the Thoubal district. By Tuesday evening, the bandh was extended to cover the entire state.
Manipur has been plagued by violence between the majority Meitei community and the tribal Kuki population since May 3 of last year. The unrest was triggered by rumours of the burning of the war centenary gate in Churachandpur.
The alleged use of drones for attacks in September introduced a new dimension to the ongoing ethnic violence in Manipur. The National Investigation Agency (NIA) is currently investigating reports of Kuki militants employing drones. While the Assam Rifles and the Army have expressed doubts regarding the use of drone bombs, Manipur Police and the state government have confirmed their deployment in Koutruk village.
The police stated that militants attacked Koutruk village with bombs and bullets, along with explosives dropped from drones. However, Kuki groups have denied using drones, accusing Chief Minister N Biren Singh, a Meitei, of spreading a false narrative about their volunteers using drones for such attacks.
On Tuesday, Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi cautioned against the spread of “wrong narratives” and emphasised the need to control misinformation as a step towards restoring normalcy in Manipur. He noted that while the situation remains “stable but tense,” false claims, including the use of bomb drones and the infiltration of 900 foreign militants from Myanmar, continue to circulate.
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