IMPHAL: A member of the Kuki sect was burned to death in Manipur. The police reported that this tragic event occurred on May 4th when two young women were stripped naked. Just recently, a video emerged showing a young man being burned alive. This incident took place in Nongpok Sekmai in Thoubal district where the Meitei community is prominent. The police have confirmed the victim as 37-year-old Laldenthanga Khongsai,who hailed from the Kuki-Somi dominated area of Kangpokpi.

The brief seven-second video displays a man in black clothing lying injured and being set on fire by a group of people. Voices of people in the vicinity can be heard in the video although only two peoples’ legs are visible. Someone in the video is heard urging not to record it. There are also distressing sounds like gunshots. The release of the video triggered substantial protests. The Indigenous Tribal Leaders Forum (ITLF), a tribal organization strongly condemned the incident. Chief Minister's Security Adviser Kuldeep Singh stated that the case has been handed over to the CBI and the victim's body is in the mortuary at the Jawaharlal Nehru Institute of Medical Sciences, Imphal East.

The police have indicated that this incident is linked to the earlier one where two young women were raped and an ongoing investigation is in progress. On May 4th, two of Kuki women were stripped and subjected to sexual assault in the same Thoubal district leading to widespread nationwide protests. These series of crimes began on September 23rd when the internet was restored for a brief period. Manipur has experienced either partial or complete suspension of internet services since May 3rd.

In the meantime, authorities are actively pursuing the recovery of weapons stolen by the attackers. Searches have been conducted in various districts including Churachandpur, Imphal East, West, Kuching and Thoubal. So far 11 sophisticated weapons, 20 rounds of ammunition, two kilograms of explosives, grenades and magazines have been recovered. Operations to retrieve all the stolen weapons will continue.