Churachandpur, Jan 26: The Indigenous Tribal Leaders’ Forum (ITLF) on Monday strongly condemned the Government of India’s decision to confer a gallantry medal on a CRPF Assistant Commandant in connection with the killing of 10 Kuki-Zo tribal men in Manipur in 2024.
In a press statement issued on January 26, the ITLF said it was “appalled” by the award, arguing that it amounted to an endorsement of what it described as the unlawful killing of tribal village volunteers during the ethnic conflict in the state. The forum recalled that the incident occurred on November 11, 2024, in Jiribam, when CRPF personnel allegedly opened fire on volunteers who had gone to protect their community following arson and a killing in the area.
According to the ITLF, the volunteers were untrained civilians, mostly daily-wage labourers from different villages, and not militants as claimed by authorities. The organisation cited autopsy findings that reportedly indicated the victims were shot from behind, contradicting official claims that a CRPF post had come under attack.
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The statement also referred to the killing of a woman from the Hmar tribe in Zairawn village, describing it as a brutal incident that preceded the November 11 firing. The forum alleged that the subsequent narrative labelling the volunteers as militants was intended to justify the use of lethal force.
Condemning the awarding of the Shaurya Chakra to Assistant Commandant Vipin Wilson, the ITLF said the decision reflected continued discrimination and injustice against Kuki-Zo communities, who have borne the brunt of violence during the nearly three-year-long ethnic unrest in Manipur.
The ITLF urged the authorities to uphold constitutional values, ensure accountability, and deliver justice to the families of the victims, asserting that gallantry awards should not be used to legitimise alleged human rights violations.
