Manipur Govt. Urges Center to Proscribe Tribal Group Under UAPA Following Sniper Attack on SDPO
In a tragic incident, a senior police officer, Sub-divisional Police Officer (SDPO) Chingtham Anand, was shot dead by suspected tribal militants in Manipur’s Tengnoupal district. Anand was overseeing the cleaning of grounds at Eastern Shine School for the construction of a helipad, a joint initiative by the police and Border Security Force (BSF). The assailants, believed to be affiliated with the World Kuki-Zo Intellectual Council (WKZIC), carried out the sniper attack, leaving the officer critically injured. He was rushed to a nearby health center in Moreh, where he succumbed to his injuries.
In response to this heinous act, the Manipur state government, led by Chief Minister Biren Singh, convened an emergency cabinet meeting. After deliberations, the government announced a relief of Rs 50 lakh to Anand’s family and assured suitable government employment for his next of kin. Additionally, the cabinet recommended declaring WKZIC as an unlawful association/organization under section 3 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967. The group’s alleged involvement in the attack was substantiated by their recent press release on October 24, where they called for arming. the Kuki-Zo community in anticipation of a conflict in November.
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However, the state government’s recommendation for prescribing WKZIC must be confirmed by the central government, which holds the authority to declare organizations as unlawful under the UAPA. The cabinet also instructed security forces to launch a joint operation in Moreh and its neighboring areas to apprehend the culprits responsible for the crime. Additional state forces have been deployed from Imphal for this purpose, and the operations are already underway.
The incident has further heightened tensions in Manipur, a state already grappling with ethnic clashes between the Meiteis and Kukis since May 3. The Meiteis, constituting 53% of Manipur’s population, primarily reside in the Imphal Valley, while tribals, including Nagas and Kukis, make up 40% and are predominantly located in the hill districts. The situation remains tense as authorities work to maintain peace and security in the region.
