The last of the Kuki-Zo people, who had stayed put in Imphal after ethnic violence erupted in Manipur on May 3, said they were forcibly evicted from their homes by security forces in the early hours on September 2.
A source in the defence forces said the families were provided safe passage from New Lambulane in Imphal East to Motbung in Senapati district on a special request by the civil administration. The source said the tribal people had stayed there for a long period and had become “vulnerable targets”.
Around 300 tribal Kuki-Zo families who had living in the New Lambulane area in the heart of the State capital gradually left after ethnic violence began on May 3, except for five families comprising 24 members who stayed back. The lane, few kilometres from the Chief Minister’s residence, was guarded round the clock by Central security forces and the Indian Army.
