Protest Erupts in Manipur Condemning Assam Police: "Our Brothers Were Killed by the Assam Police," Say Protestors

Thousands of people from the Hmar and Kuki communities gathered today to condemn the alleged extra-judicial killings of three Hmar youths in Bhuban Khal on July 17. The protest, held in the Chuto Bekra area of Jiribam district in Manipur, saw a massive turnout with participants carrying placards and loud slogans against the Assam Police.

The rally, which culminated in a public meeting, drew support from various sections of society, including school students, and men, women and youths. The demonstrators demanded justice from both the Assam and Central Governments, expressing their outrage and grief over the incident. Placards carrying messages like “DGP Assam stop playing drama!”, “Fair trials, not false encounters stand against injustice,” and “Fake encounter is a murder of the rule of law.”, were displayed. After a long rally with thousands of locals of the Hmar and Kuki population of Tuisuolein and Chuto Bekra and nearby villages, the protestors gathered at the local community halls.

“Three of our brothers were brutally murdered by the Assam Police. We are demanding justice according to the law. Action must be taken against those responsible,” said a local protestor. He also mentioned that the bodies of the deceased youths are still at the morgue of Silchar Medical College.

The protestor further highlighted the ongoing conflict between the Meities and the Kukis, stating that such violence should not have been directed towards the three Hmar youths. He questioned the political situation in the country and emphasized the community’s demand for justice.

“Who will give us justice? We urge the Assam Government and the Government of India to act swiftly. We will not stay silent. Does the government think we are fools? If the Assam Police has committed a crime, they must accept it. Political backing cannot shield them. The culprits must be booked and punished, whether it’s life imprisonment or the death penalty. The three victims who died defending their community were innocent. Who will give them justice? Stop treating us like animals,” demanded the protestor.

The protest meeting, held at the community hall in Tuisuolein, began with a moment of silence to honour the three deceased youths. The community’s call for justice was loud and clear, with a collective resolve not to remain silent until their demands were met. While the SP of Cachar Police’s statements on July 17 revealed that the three died in a crossfire between the police and the other militants who were hiding in the jungles of Bhuban Pahar, the Hmar associations of both Cachar and Manipur don’t accept this statement. A writ petition has also been filed at the Guwahati High Court, asking the Assam government to expedite the postmortem chemical analysis. The protestors called for a bigger movement if justice is not served.