Mon Dec 23 18:42:23 UTC 2024: ## Naga Groups Condemn Assault on Students by Kuki Volunteers in Manipur
**Imphal, Manipur –** Several Naga civil society organizations in Manipur have strongly condemned the alleged brutal assault and harassment of members of the Senapati District Students’ Association (SDSA) by Kuki volunteers in Gamgiphai, Senapati district, on Sunday night.
The SDSA reported that its members were physically attacked and verbally abused despite identifying themselves as student leaders. Their official vehicle was also vandalized. The attack is seen as a violation of a November 21st Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Naga People’s Organisation (NPO) and the Committee on Tribal Unity (CoTU) aimed at promoting peace and coexistence between Naga and Kuki communities. The SDSA questioned the Kukis’ commitment to the agreement.
The Mao Students’ Union and the Poumai Naga Tsiidoumai Me (PNTM) echoed the condemnation, highlighting the unacceptable nature of the violence and its threat to inter-community harmony. They called for swift action against the perpetrators. The Mao Students’ Union specifically cited the vandalism as evidence of malicious intent.
The incident underscores ongoing tensions between different communities in Manipur, even as the primary conflict involves the Kuki and Meitei communities. Past ethnic clashes between the Naga and Kuki tribes (1992-1999) add a layer of complexity to the current situation, marked by disputes over shared resources and infrastructure. Authorities are urged to investigate the assault and address the underlying tensions fueling such violence.
First Piper 