123 Kolkata: The renewed violence in Manipur prompted people from the northeastern state living in Kolkata to hold a candlelight vigil on Friday evening. Manipuris in Kolkata (MIK), an umbrella body of Manipur natives in Kolkata, organized a peace meet, praying for the safe release of women and children who had been allegedly kidnapped by armed Kuki groups.
Eleven armed Kuki men were gunned down a few days ago during a fierce gun battle with the CRPF in Manipur's Jiribam, neighbouring Assam. The Kukis claimed that the deceased were village volunteers. Following this incident, three women and three children from the Meitei community — were reportedly abducted from a relief camp in Jiribam. Meiteis alleged that they had been kidnapped by Kuki militants.
"We plead and urge for the unconditional release of the six women and children. They are innocent civilians," said a participant.
The northeastern state bordering Myanmar has been on the boil since May 2023 after clashes broke out between the Meitei and Kuki communities. "We wonder what the central govt is doing to resolve the crisis ," said Rojit Keisham, general secretary of MIK.