The Shongthu Chate

The 3 rd of May 2023 marks the beginning of the on-going state-sponsored ethnic cleansing campaign against the Kuki-Zo. On that day, a riot that apparently broke out at the Torbung-Kangvai area of Churachandpur bordering the Bishnupur district in the valley engulfed the whole state within a few hours. While a violent confrontation went on in the Torbung-Kangvai area, similar mobs began to storm other Kuki villages located in the periphery areas between the valley and the hills. In these coordinated attacks, the Kukis faced heavy casualties including deaths, bullet injuries, and destruction of houses and livestock in many of the villages and colonies in Imphal. For the Kuki-Zo people in Manipur University (MU), it was a night to forget as we were hunted like criminals within the Campus itself. Until the unruly mobs stormed the University campus searching for the “Kukis” on that fateful night, MU was our second home where we built our hopes and dreams. Perhaps, it was only because...

On the 3rd of May 2024, there were observations in all the Kuki inhabited areas including churches, cities, and towns in different states of India, and even abroad, to pay tribute to the departed souls as the ongoing state-sponsored ethnic cleansing campaign carried out by the dominant community since the 3rd of May 2023 completed a year. In a similar case, the Meiteis also observed the day under different themes in various parts of Manipur and the National Capital. One such program was organised at Manipur University (MU) supposedly to mourn the deaths and destruction during the last one year. As video footage and images of the candlelight vigil in MU began circulating, it reminded us of how the Kuki-Zo students and staff and their families escaped from the jaws of death on that fateful evening. Though 366 days have passed, it still feels like yesterday as the trauma continues to haunt us. To go back a little bit in time, 3rd May 2023 will remain as a black day in the history of...

Imphal-based Since the beginning of the current ethnic cleansing campaign, which has been spearheaded largely by the Arambai Tenggols, the Imphal based Meitei media houses have become minting places of fake news, propaganda, and one-sided news alone. Any violent incidents involving armed men have been blamed on the “Kuki militants.” Dissemination of such lies and fabricated information has been widely assisted by social media accounts handled by Meiteis and those sympathetic towards the dominant community. One simple example was how the Kuki militants were accused of committing the unfortunate incident at Lilong on New Year's Day where at least five Pangals (Manipur Muslims) were killed. And most of the national and international media houses who have been covering Manipur violence since May 3 are aware of this fact. The manufacturing of fabricated news has been openly backed by state machineries including the DIPR, Manipur Police and the state government including the Meitei c...

Dear Brethren, we will be embarking on a new journey soon as we are electing a new Member of Parliament (MP), I am delighted to pen down a few words from the bottom of my heart. This message is for all the tribals of Outer Manipur, particularly the Nagas, who will be voting in the second phase of polling on 26 April 2024. Brethren, we all know that the first phase of polling for the Lok Sabha elections in Manipur was held on 19 April 2024 amidst uncertainty and fears. In many parts of the Valley districts, the festival of democracy was marred by unprecedented violence in which at least three people were reportedly arrested for violent activities. Following massive outrage from the opposition parties, a repoll was also conducted in 11 polling stations on 22 April. During the first phase, we observed two contrasting pictures in the Kuki-dominated districts of Churachandpur and Kangpokpi. Whereas Churachandpur district reported a reasonably high percentage of voting, most of the polli...

In Manipur, the 23 rd of April is observed as a State Holiday on account of Khongjom Day. Anyone with even a cursory knowledge of Manipur's history, or those born and brought up in the state, is aware of its significance. The Khongjom Lan (Khongjom War) which unfolded against the backdrop of a series of confrontations between the British and the Manipuri royal family stemmed from a palace revolt, or coup, led by Tikendrajit Singh on 21 st September 1890. The coup was aimed to depose Maharaja Surchandra Singh and install Kulachandra Singh as the ruler. Surachandra initially agreed to abdicate the throne but soon sought British assistance to regain the throne. As the British decided to interfere in the internal matters of the princely state, it resulted in the execution of Chief Commissioner Quinton and his party, including Grimwood. This event finally led to the Battle of Khongjom on 23 rd April 1891 (although some historians are of the opinion that the Battle was fought on ...

Since the beginning of the current ethnic violence, the Kuki-Zo community has never blamed the entire Meitei community for initiating the violence but rather placed the responsibility on the radicalized sections including the Arambai Tenggols, Meitei Leepuns, the titular King Leishemba Sanajaoba, and Mr. N. Biren Singh. This stance has been corroborated by the Indian Army, including the Assam Rifles, and a few Meitei intellectuals and social activists. However, anyone speaking the truth has been labeled as anti-Meitei, and against the state. As such, any dissenting voices have been silenced for good. While neutral voices such as the Indian Army have faced FIRs and public shaming for allegedly taking sides, Meitei social activists have often been threatened or their houses vandalised. Notable figures whose homes were targeted by unruly mobs include former decorated Police Officer Thounaojam Brinda, noted human rights activist Babloo Loitongbam, and Hon'ble MP and Union Minister of S...

In the Inner Manipur constituency, the choice is between the outspoken and ethnocentric Dr. A.Bimol Akoijam and the calm-and-composed Mr. Th. Basanta Kumar, but in the Outer, it is a Naga The election campaign for the first phase ended with a high voltage Television debate between the ruling BJP and the opposition Congress yesterday. The campaign was also marked by the visit of the Union Home Minister Shri Amit Shah for an election campaign on Monday. However, when the Home Minister came to Manipur, he didn't utter a single word about the incident involving one of the most barbaric acts committed by the Meitei terrorists who not only brutally murdered two innocent Kuki village volunteers but also recorded videos where their bodies were dragged, severely mutilated, and dump in an undisclosed location. It is under such circumstances that the Meiteis and the Kuki-Zo-dominated districts will go for the first phase of polling tomorrow. For the Kukis, it is the hardest time in thei...