Ethnic Clashes in Manipur: 7-Year-Old Boy Burnt Alive in Ambulance Attack
More than 160 people have lost their lives and hundreds have been injured in violent ethnic clashes that have taken place in Manipur. The latest tragic incident involves a 7-year-old boy, Tonsing Hangsing, who was burned alive along with his mother and aunt during an attack on an ambulance in West Imphal district.
The clashes erupted between the Kuki and Meitei communities following a ‘Tribal Solidarity March’ organized in the hill districts to protest against the Meitei community’s demand for Scheduled Tribe (ST) status. Amidst the unrest, Tonsing Hangsing, a child of mixed Kuki-Meitei parentage, was being rushed to a hospital in the Manipur capital after sustaining a bullet injury to his head during a shootout.
The Manipur Police have handed over the case to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) as part of their ongoing probe into these ethnic clashes. The CBI has received two FIRs related to the incident, one filed by the police at the Lamphel station and another filed by the boy’s father, Joshua Hangsing, at the Kangpokpi police station. The charges in the Lamphel police station case include murder, while the Kangpokpi case involves an attempt to commit culpable homicide not amounting to murder.
Accompanied by his mother and aunt, both Meitei Christians, Tonsing was traveling in the ambulance with a driver and a nurse when they were attacked by a mob. Despite their pleas for mercy, the mob set the ambulance on fire, resulting in the tragic deaths of Tonsing, his mother, and his aunt.
The violence and unrest in Manipur have also led to other incidents, such as the alleged rape of a Meitei woman by unidentified tribal Kuki leaders. This case has added complexity as the authorities of the village where the alleged incident occurred deny the allegations. The woman claimed to have been sexually assaulted near Khumujamba in Churchandpur district, but the village authorities have issued a statement refuting her claims, stating that she had left the area five years ago and had not returned since.
The CBI will now investigate the series of incidents and work towards bringing justice to the victims and their families. It is essential to address the root causes of these clashes and promote harmony and understanding among different ethnic groups in Manipur. The violence and loss of innocent lives must not go unanswered, and steps should be taken to ensure the safety and well-being of all communities in the state.
The investigation by the CBI will shed light on the circumstances surrounding these tragic incidents, provide a fair assessment of the situation, and hold those responsible accountable for their actions. The ultimate goal should be to establish lasting peace and reconciliation in Manipur, creating a society where all members can coexist peacefully and harmoniously.
