Tue Nov 19 14:54:36 UTC 2024: **Manipur MLA Sparks Outrage After Calling Slain Militants ‘Martyrs’**

IMPHAL, Manipur — A controversy has erupted in Manipur after Lallian Mang Khaute, a BJP MLA and retired IPS officer from Churachandpur district, referred to 10 militants killed in an encounter as “martyrs” on social media. The November 11th encounter, according to Manipur Police, followed an attack on a CRPF camp in Jiribam, resulting in one CRPF soldier injured and the recovery of assault rifles and an RPG launcher from the slain militants.

Khaute’s Facebook and X posts, showing him paying respects to the deceased, have drawn sharp criticism from the Meitei community and led to a zero FIR being filed against him in Delhi by the Republican Party of India (Athawale). The complainant, Maheshwar Thounaojam, accused Khaute of playing a “dangerous game” and undermining the rule of law.

The incident comes amidst a volatile situation in Manipur. On the same day as the encounter, six members of a Meitei family, including an infant, were killed by another group of militants, prompting the Manipur government to declare its intention to designate the perpetrators as a terrorist organization.

While Khaute’s actions have been condemned by many, Kuki groups maintain the 10 men were village volunteers and allege the CRPF acted in collusion with Manipur Police and other armed groups. They claim the weapons recovered were not necessarily those of the deceased. These groups, including the Kuki Students’ Organisation (KSO), Zomi Students’ Federation, and others, have condemned the killings as “barbaric” and called for a thorough investigation. A senior KSO member, speaking on condition of anonymity, expressed the community’s desperation and sense of helplessness, emphasizing that they are not endorsing violence but feel unheard amidst the escalating conflict.

The differing narratives highlight the deep-seated tensions between the Meitei and Kuki communities, and the accusations of bias against central security forces, particularly the Assam Rifles, continue to fuel the conflict. The situation remains highly sensitive, with the Manipur government vowing to launch mass operations against the implicated Kuki militants within seven days.

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