Manipur CM Biren Singh Condemns Killings Of 6 Women, Children By Kuki Militants, Vows Justice

Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh has expressed deep sorrow over the killing of six people by suspected Kuki militants last week, vowing that those responsible for the horrific act will soon face justice.

In his first statement since fresh violence erupted in the state, Biren Singh confirmed that search operations are underway to find the perpetrators of the killings of three women and three children, whose bodies were recovered from a river in Jiribam district.

The Chief Minister condemned the killings, calling them a "crime against humanity." "Today, I stand here with profound sadness and anger to condemn the horrific killings of three innocent children and three innocent women by Kuki terrorists after being taken hostage at Jiribam," Singh said in a video posted on his X account.

"Such barbaric acts have no place in any civilised society. Let me assure you that the hunt for these terrorists is currently underway and they will be brought to justice very soon. We will not rest until they are held accountable for their inhuman actions," he added.

The six victims had been missing since November 11, following a gunfight between militants and security forces that resulted in the deaths of 10 insurgents.

In his message on Wednesday, Singh also thanked the CRPF for their swift response in Jiribam. "Around 40 to 50 armed terrorists launched an assault on internally displaced persons residing in a relief camp at Borobekra and targeted a police station in Jiribam," Singh said. "Their aim was to spread fear and destruction. However, thanks to timely and decisive response from CRPF personnel stationed there, the attack was repelled, and their swift action neutralised 10 of those terrorists on the spot, thereby saving hundreds of innocent lives living in relief camps," he added.

Manipur has been grappling with violence for nearly 18 months, as the ethnic conflict continues unabated. Amid the ongoing crisis, the Centre last week reinstated the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA) in six areas, more than a year after it was lifted, sparking fresh protests in the Imphal valley.

The violence has resulted in the division of Manipur into two ethnic enclaves - the Meitei-majority Imphal valley and the Kuki-majority hills - despite the presence of buffer zones monitored by security forces.