Sat Mar 01 00:57:10 UTC 2025: ## Manipur Temple Attacked Amidst Weapons Surrender Deadline Extension
**Imphal, Manipur –** Suspected Kuki militants fired upon the Kongba Maru temple in Manipur’s Imphal East district on Friday, prompting protests and a renewed plea for peace. The attack, which occurred while Meitei community members were praying, resulted in no injuries, but heightened tensions in the already volatile region.
The incident follows the Manipur Governor’s extension of a deadline for surrendering illegally held weapons until March 6th. This extension, however, did not prevent the attack, which originated from nearby hilltops in Kangpokpi district. A joint police and CRPF team subsequently searched the area.
Meitei community members protested the attack, demanding that authorities prevent further violence by Kuki militants. A police officer addressed the protesters, suggesting the attack was a provocation aimed at destabilizing the peace process. The officer emphasized the ongoing President’s rule and the extended weapons surrender deadline, warning of stricter enforcement after March 6th.
This attack comes a day after the Arambai Tenggol (AT) group surrendered 300 firearms, responding to the Governor’s call. The Kongba Maru temple, previously vandalized during the May 2023 ethnic clashes, remains a focal point of the ongoing conflict between the Meitei and Kuki communities. This conflict, spanning nearly two years, has claimed over 250 lives and displaced 50,000 people, fueled by disputes over land rights and political representation. The state is currently under President’s rule following the resignation of Chief Minister N Biren Singh and his council of ministers on February 9th.
First Piper 