Kuki Inpi SW Sadar Hills Condemns Brutal Killing of Marangngir

PRESS RELEASE

Kuki Inpi South-West Sadar Hills was saddened to hear of the killing of Mr. Marangngir (45), son of Ex-Pastor Som-Eng of Kangchup Chiru village, Kangpokpi District, Manipur, by the so-called Arambai Tenggol. He was forced to falsely confess to being a Kuki-Zo informer under the pretext of sparing his life.

In the viral video circulating on social media, he is seen apprehended and blindfolded inside a vehicle, coerced into answering questions designed to malign his reputation before being brutally murdered. He was forced to confess to accepting twenty thousand rupees to act as an informer for the Kuki-Zo.

Mr. Marangngir, a former leader of the Kangchup Tribal Youth Organisation (the apex body of Kuki and Naga Tribal Youth Organizations in the Kangchup area), theologian, and devout Christian, had no connection whatsoever to the present Kuki-Zo and Meitei conflict. The accusations purported against him by the Arambai Tenggol are baseless and timorous propaganda meant only to cover their inhuman and disingenuous acts.

It may also be noted that the Meiteis in Imphal regularly check the Aadhaar cards of minority tribals, verbally abuse, harass, and often allow them to carry only minimal food items for survival. As fellow Christians and tribals, we share a strong bond with the villagers of not only Kangchup Chiru but also with all the tribals in the area. However, for their safety, we refrained from involving them in any activities since the Kuki-Zo and Meitei conflict began on May 3, 2023.

In fact, this is not the first time the Arambai Tenggol and Meitei terrorists have threatened minority tribals to create a climate of fear. On September 16, 2023, Serto Thangthang Kom (41), a soldier in the Defence Service Corps (DSC) on leave, was abducted from his residence at Tarung in Imphal and was shot dead by Meitei terrorists. Again, on July 15, 2023, Lucy Maring, a 55-year-old woman with mental illness, was also shot dead by armed Meitei terrorists. The list goes on.

According to the late Naga historian Prof. Gangmumei Kamei, a few minorities, including the Chirus, are culturally and linguistically Kuki but politically Naga. So, despite having close affinities with them, we respect the identity and feelings of these minority tribes while they choose to maintain neutrality in the ongoing conflict.

Such brutal acts, harassment, and the instilling of fear in various forms among the minority tribals—especially at this critical juncture—will never bring any good result in the state. If continued, it will result in more problems and eventually the situation will be like adding fuel to the burning fire. The concerned authorities need to book those involved in the murder of such a guiltless man and take appropriate legal action as per the law of the country.

Lastly, the Kuki Inpi South West Sadar Hills sincerely appeals to all not to drag any other community, whether minority or majority, into this abhorrent and unprofitable inferno.

Secretary
Information & Publicity
Kuki Inpi South West Sadar Hills

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