Meitei Alliance Condemns Attacks on Farmers, Demands Action Against Kuki Militants

Last Updated on June 26, 2025 by SPN Editor

Imphal, June 26, 2025 – The Meitei Alliance has strongly condemned recent armed attacks on Meitei farmers by Kuki militants, accusing them of attempting to seize land and disrupt Manipur’s agrarian economy. The group has called for immediate action to protect farmers and enforce the state’s resolution to end agreements with Kuki militant groups.

On June 15, 2025, an attack took place in Sadu Lampak, Leitanpokpi, Imphal East, despite the presence of Central Security Forces. A second assault on June 19 injured 60-year-old farmer Ningthoujam Biren in his paddy field in Phubala, Bishnupur district. The Meitei Alliance identified the perpetrators as cadres of the Kuki National Front (MC), a Suspension of Operations (SoO) militant group based at Camp S. Nabil in Thangjing Hills. The Alliance also referenced a prior incident on November 7, 2024, when woman farmer Sapam Sophia Leima was killed in Saiton, highlighting a pattern of targeted violence.

The Alliance criticized the Central Security Forces for failing to protect farmers, noting that on June 25, 2025, forces prevented Meitei farmers from working in Thinungai, Bishnupur district, during a critical farming season. Since the unrest in Manipur began on May 3, 2023, Meitei farmers have faced sustained threats, turning farmlands into conflict zones and threatening the state’s food security.

The Manipur government abrogated the SoO agreement with the Kuki National Army (KNA) and Zomi Revolutionary Army (ZRA) on March 10, 2023, followed by a unanimous Legislative Assembly resolution on February 29, 2024, to terminate SoO agreements with Kuki militant groups due to repeated violations. However, the Meitei Alliance expressed concern that under President’s Rule, the central government has been lenient, allowing Kuki groups to occupy new sites for camp relocation instead of taking punitive action.

The Alliance urged the Government of India to uphold its “Zero Tolerance Policy” against terrorism by dismantling Kuki militant operations and questioned its commitment to engaging in talks with these groups despite the state’s opposition. It appealed for the immediate arrest of the attackers and the enforcement of clear laws to protect the fundamental rights, safety, and dignity of Manipur’s citizens.

“The phrase ‘Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan’ loses meaning when jawans are deployed but kisans remain unprotected,” the Alliance stated, emphasizing the need for urgent action to restore peace and security for Manipur’s farming communities.