The Joint Tribes Council (JTC), an apex body representing the Inpui, Liangmai, Rongmei and Zeme communities, has strongly condemned the killing of three Meitei civilians at Sunurok Uyok in Khongbal Tangkhul on October 19 and demanded an independent investigation into the incident. In a condemnation statement issued the same day, the council alleged that the civilians were killed by Kuki militants operating under the Suspension of Operations (SoO) agreement, a pact that requires signatory armed groups to remain confined to designated camps.
According to the statement, the attack took place at around 9:30 am, and several other civilians were reported to have been seriously injured. The deceased were identified as Arubam Ronil, 30, son of Raja from Nongshum village; Lairenlakpam Inaobi, 50, son of L. Tombi, also from Nongshum village; and Kshetrimayum Sushil, 25, son of Deben from Uyumpok Mamang Leikai. The council expressed its condolences to the bereaved families and extended solidarity to those wounded in the incident.
Central to the JTC’s statement is a sharp questioning of how the SoO arrangement is being implemented on the ground. The council asked how armed personnel who are supposed to remain in designated camps could allegedly move about freely carrying sophisticated weapons and launch attacks on civilians, if those responsible were indeed cadres covered by the agreement. It cautioned that the arrangement must not be allowed to become a “licence for violence” or a shield against accountability.
The council also raised doubts over the effectiveness of security deployment in Manipur, citing the reported presence of around 40,000 state security personnel and more than 60,000 additional personnel from central forces. It called on both the state and central governments to explain why civilians continue to be killed despite such a massive deployment.
Among its key demands, the JTC has called for a prompt, independent and impartial investigation into the killings, along with the arrest and prosecution of those responsible regardless of their affiliation or SoO status. It further demanded strict enforcement of the agreement’s terms, inspections of designated camps, verification of cadres, proper accounting of weapons and improved security in vulnerable areas.
The council also sought accountability for any security lapses that may have contributed to the incident, immediate medical care for the injured, and compensation for the affected families and survivors. It pressed for an urgent review of the SoO arrangement itself to address alleged violations and loopholes.
Concluding its statement, the JTC urged the governments of India and Manipur to take immediate and verifiable action against armed groups and to ensure the safety of all communities in the state.
Original Source: https://www.indiatodayne.in/manipur/story/joint-tribes-council-seeks-security-review-after-alleged-attack-on-civilians-in-manipur-1464969-2026-10-20?utm_source=rssfeed
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Publish Date: 2026-10-20 08:37:00
