YMA Calls for Compensation and Justice Following Deadly Gunfight and Alleged Brutal Killings in Manipur

The Young Mizo Association (YMA) has urged the Centre to compensate families of victims killed in Manipur's Jiribam district. This follows an attack by suspected militants on police and CRPF camps, resulting in several casualties. YMA demands investigation and resolution of the ongoing ethnic conflict.

PTI, Aizawl, November 14, 2024  : The Young Mizo Association (YMA), the largest civil society organization in Mizoram, has called on the central government to provide compensation to the families of victims killed in a recent gunfight between suspected militants and security forces in Manipur’s Jiribam district.

The deadly clash, which took place on Monday, resulted in the deaths of 10 suspected insurgents, who were allegedly involved in a fierce attack on the Borobekra police station and a nearby CRPF camp. According to the Manipur Police, the insurgents, dressed in camouflage and armed with sophisticated weapons, opened fire indiscriminately, leading to a firefight with security forces.

While the focus of the authorities has been on the militant casualties, the YMA is also urging the Union government to investigate a series of other violent incidents that have sparked outrage across the region. These include the killing of a 31-year-old woman on November 7 by alleged "Meitei miscreants," and the deaths of 10 "village volunteers" from the Hmar-Mizo tribes at the hands of security forces on November 11.

In a meeting of its Central Coordination Committee (CCC) on Wednesday, the YMA vehemently condemned both the killings and demanded justice for the victims. "We urge the Centre to look into these tragic events and ensure that the perpetrators are held accountable," the YMA said in a statement. The association also called for immediate intervention by the Union government to help resolve the ongoing ethnic violence that has gripped Manipur and its neighboring regions.

Among the most harrowing allegations is the claim that a Hmar woman was subjected to horrific abuse before her death on November 7. According to Hmar civil society groups and Kuki organizations, the woman was not only shot at but also raped and tortured before being set on fire. These disturbing reports have led to widespread condemnation from various political parties in Mizoram.

The ruling Zoram People's Movement (ZPM) party and the opposition Mizo National Front (MNF) have both criticized the security forces, with the MNF alleging that the CRPF, which is supposed to remain neutral, acted in a "partisan manner" during the conflict. The state's student body, Mizo Zirlai Pawl (MZP), labeled the incident "inhuman and uncivilized."

The post-mortem examination of six of the 10 militants killed in the Jiribam gunfight was conducted in Silchar, Assam, on Tuesday. The autopsy of the remaining four victims is still pending, and authorities plan to send the bodies to Churachandpur in Manipur once the autopsies are completed. The Young Mizo Association has announced plans to organize a reception for the deceased in Aizawl, the capital of Mizoram, as the bodies are transported home.

Meanwhile, a person injured in the Jiribam gunfight was brought to Mizoram for medical treatment on Tuesday, further fueling the region's concerns over the ongoing violence.

The YMA's demands reflect a growing sense of frustration and urgency among the Mizo community, as the violence in Manipur continues to escalate. As tensions remain high, the YMA has called for the Union government to take swift and decisive action to address both the immediate humanitarian crisis and the broader ethnic conflict that has affected the region for months.

"The lives of these innocent victims cannot be forgotten, and their families must receive the justice and compensation they deserve," said Malsawmliana, General Secretary of the YMA. "It is time for the government to intervene and bring an end to this senseless violence."

As of now, the government’s response to the YMA’s call for compensation and a thorough investigation into the incidents remains awaited. However, with the ongoing unrest in Manipur and growing support for the YMA’s demands, the pressure on authorities to act is intensifying.