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{{Short description|2023 shooting in Aigejang, Manipur, India}}
{{Infobox civil conflict
| title = Khamenlok clash
| subtitle =
| partof = [[2023–2025 Manipur violence]]
| image =
| caption =
| date = 12–14 June 2023
| place = Khamenlok valley, [[Kangpokpi district]], [[Manipur]], India
| coordinates = {{coord|24.9707|94.0720 |format=dms|display=inline,title}}
| causes =
| goals =
| methods =
| status =
| result =
| side1 = [[Meitei people|Meitei]] mobs
* [[Arambai Tenggol]]<ref name="Wire 28 Jan"/><ref name="Rediff 15 Jun"/>
* [[United National Liberation Front]]<ref name="Maktoob 16 Jun"/><ref name="TFM Pambei"/>
| side2 = [[Kuki people|Kuki]] villagers
* Village defence volunteers
| leadfigures1 =
| leadfigures2 =
| howmany1 = 3,000
| howmany2 = Unknown
| casualties1 = '''Official''': 9 killed, 19 injured<br/>'''Unofficial''': 200–300 killed, 400 injured<ref name="NEAffairs"/>{{sfn|Thapar|Hangshing|2023|loc=[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fV2PpL8m2s4?t=653 10:53 minutes in], [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fV2PpL8m2s4?t=922 15:22 minutes in]}}
| casualties2 = '''Unofficial''': 1 killed, 3 injured<ref name="NEAffairs"/><ref name="IFP 14 Jun"/>
| arrests = None
| damage = Several Kuki villages burned
| buildings =
| detentions =
| charged =
| fined =
| effect =
| effect_label =
| casualties_label =
| notes =
| sidebox =
| mapframe = yes
| mapframe-coordinates = {{coord|24.9707|94.0720|name=Aigejang|display=i}}
| mapframe-zoom = 13
| mapframe-caption = Location of the Aigejang village in the Khamenlok valley, branching off from the Iril River valley to the west
| mapframe-frame-width = 300
| mapframe-frame-height = 300
}}

The '''Khamenlok clash''' occurred during 12–14 June 2023, in the course of [[2023–2025 Manipur violence]] between the [[Meitei people|Meitei]] and [[Kuki people|Kuki]] people, in the Khamenlok river valley, a branch valley of the [[Iril River]] valley, in the [[Saikul subdivision]] of [[Kangpokpi district]]. An estimated mob of 3,000 Meitei assailants, some with sophisticated weapons, launched an attack on the Kuki villages in the Khamenlok valley, over a period of three days, burning houses and rampaging the area. While the Kuki villagers escaped to the hills on arrival of the assailants, security forces were blocked from reaching the area by [[Meira Paibi|women activist groups]]. Finally, on the night of 13–14 June, while the assailants were celebrating in a church building, the Kuki village defence volunteers descended from the hills and carried out a wholesale massacre of the Meitei mobs. The official death count was nine people, but unofficial estimates were in excess of 200 people.<ref name="Hindu 15 Jun">
Vijaita Singh, Iboyaima Laithangbam, [https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/manipur-khamenlok-many-killed-june-13-2023/article66967216.ece Retaliatory strike by village guards leaves nine dead in Manipur], The Hindu, 14 June 2023. Updated 15 June 2023, 10:17 IST.
</ref><ref name="NEAffairs">
[https://thenortheastaffairs.com/massacre-at-khamenlok-kuki-leader-claims-they-killed-over-200-meiteis/ Massacre at Khamenlok: Kuki leader claims they killed over 200 Meiteis], Northeast Affairs, 27 July 2023.
</ref>
Even with the offical figures, it was described by a newspaper as the "highest toll in a single incident" during the Manipur conflict.<ref name="IndianExpress"/>{{efn|''[[Hindustan Times]]'' described it as the "largest single-day toll",<ref name="HT 5 Dec">Prawesh Lama, [https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/manipur-on-edge-as-13-bodies-found-after-gunfight-in-village-101701714066970.html Manipur on edge as 13 bodies found after gunfight in village], Hindustan Times, 5 December 2023.</ref> which is not really accurate. The largest single-day tolls were at the beginning of the conflict: 19 dead on 3 May, 35 on 4 May and 12 on 5 May.<ref>Prateek Goyal, [https://www.newslaundry.com/2023/09/15/tracing-the-sparks-behind-manipurs-ring-of-fire-free-run-for-first-bloodbath-blind-eye-to-protests As Modi’s visit looms, tracing the missed warnings that set Manipur on fire], Newslaundry, 15 September 2023.</ref> These figures remained unknown the mainstream media.}}

== Background ==
=== Manipur violence ===
The [[2023–2025 Manipur violence]] broke out on 3 May 2023, soon after a protest rally held by the tribal communities of Manipur. Starting out as clashes between the [[Meitei people|Meitei]] and [[Kuki people|Kuki]] (tribal) communities of Manipur at the border between [[Churachandpur district|Churachandpur]] and [[Bishnupur district|Bishnupur]] districts, the ethnic violence soon spun out of control engulfing the whole state. All the Meiteis living in the hill districts dominated by Kukis fled their homes and the Kukis living in the Imphal Valley did likewise, causing widespread displacement of over 60,000 people lasting a whole year while the violence continued unabated. The Meitei community has developed organised militias such as [[Arambai Tenggol]] and [[Meitei Leepun]], which looted state police armouries to gain advanced weaponry, and used it to wage war against the tribal districts inhabited by Kukis.The Kukis, who possess licensed guns due to their hunting occupation, attempted to organise "village defence volunteers", while the security forces created "buffer zones" to keep the two sides apart. Both the sides possessed [[Insurgency in Manipur|insurgent groups]], whose role in the violence remained unclear.

=== Khamenlok valley ===
The [[Kangpokpi District]],{{Efn|Kangpokpi district was previously the Sadar Hills subdivision of the [[Senapati district]].}} which surrounds the northern [[Imphal Valley]] on three sides, is mainly inhabited by Kukis. The jurisdiction of the Valley districts ([[Imphal West district|Imphal West]] and [[Imphal East district|Imphal East]]) has been extended over the decades to include the river valleys that feed into Imphal, thus encroaching into the hill areas which otherwise belonged to the Kangpokpi district. These extensions are controversial, causing uncertain borders between the valley districts and Kangpokpi district.<ref>{{citation |title=Manipur Administrative Atlas |year=2005 |url=http://lsi.gov.in:8081/jspui/bitstream/123456789/4393/1/50276_2001_ADM.pdf |at=Maps 8–11 |publisher=Census of India, Government of India}}</ref><ref>Vijaita Singh, [https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/several-hill-villages-in-manipur-wrongly-included-in-valley-districts-st-panel/article67296353.ece Several hill villages in Manipur wrongly included in valley districts: ST panel], The Hindu, 11 September 2023. "A report by the National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST) has observed that several hill villages in Manipur were wrongly included in the valley districts during the Census 2011 exercise."</ref>

A portion of the [[Iril River]] valley (also called Saikul Valley) has been part of Imphal East since 1971, but the census map of 2001 shows it extending almost up to the border of the [[Saikul|Saikul Town]]. The '''Khamenlok valley''' is a branch valley of the Saikul Valley, extending from a village called Uyumpok. Near the mouth of the valley is a Meitei village called Nongsum,{{efn|Alternative spellings: Nongshum, Nungshum.}} and, next to it, a Tangkhul Naga village called Khongbal Tangkhul (population: 415).{{sfnp|Imphal East District Census Handbook|2011|p=106}} These two are included in the Imphal East district. The remainder of the Khamenlok Valley has numerous Kuki villages, which are part of the Kangpokpi district. These are, in order, H. Khopibung, Khamenlok, Chullouphai, '''Aigejang''', A. Leikot, A. Phainom, Thombol, T. Jordanphai, Songjang and Govajang (total population: 1815).<ref name="EastMojo">
Kaybie Chongloi, [https://www.eastmojo.com/manipur/2023/06/17/manipur-khamenlok-area-chiefs-call-bluff-on-reports-of-violence-against-meiteis/ Manipur: Khamenlok area chiefs 'call bluff' on reports of violence against Meiteis], EastMojo, 17 June 2023.
</ref>{{efn|The 2011 census of the [[Senapati district]] lists the villages of H. Khopibung (population: 208), Khamenlok (population: 241), Challouphai (population: 120), Aigejang (population: 412), D. Leikot (population: 215), Thombol (population: 107), Jordanphai (population: 169), Songjang (population: 183), and Govajang (population: 160).{{sfnp|Senapati District Census Handbook|2011|p=194}} It also lists the Khongbal Tangkhul village, exemplifying the confusion over district boundaries.{{sfnp|Senapati District Census Handbook|2011|p=194}}}}


Within the Imphal East district, Uyumpok is a large village with numerous sub-villages (total population: 2899), and to its north is Sagolmang (population: 967).{{sfnp|Imphal East District Census Handbook|2011|p=106}} Sagolmang has a police station, whose jurisdiction extends to the Khamenlok Valley, even though the latter is in a different revenue district.<ref>
Prabin Kalita, [https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/imphal/man-killed-in-manipur-as-governor-visits-relief-camp-in-district/articleshow/100949557.cms Man killed in Manipur as guv visits relief camp in district], The Times of India, 13 June 2023. {{ProQuest|2825009310}} "Although part of another district, the area is under the jurisdiction of Imphal East Police."
</ref>
Thus, the Imphal East police were responsible for law and order in the Khamenlok area. They were also the main source of news for the media.

During the month of May 2023, the villagers of Nongsum complained of firing and intimidation by the Kuki villagers of Khamenlok. One village defence volunteer said that the villagers "will stay firm and take the fight to the Kuki militants".<ref name="Sangai 27 May">
[https://www.thesangaiexpress.com/Encyc/2023/5/27/By-Our-Staff-ReporterIMPHAL-May-25-Life-in-Nongshum-village-in-Imphal-East-district-is-today-on.html Nongshum villagers seek Govt's intervention], The Sangai Express, 27 May 2023.
</ref>

== Clashes ==
=== 12 June ===
On Monday, 12 June, by 10:45 am, armed assailants raided the Khopibung and Khamenlok villages, firing at the "group of civilians", and setting houses on fire. By the time [[Assam Rifles]] and [[Gorkha regiments (India)|Gorkha Rifles]] troops arrived at the village, the gunmen are said to have fled the area. ''[[The Times of India]]'' report said that three people were injured.<ref name="TOI 13 Jun">
[https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/imphal/man-killed-in-manipur-as-governor-visits-relief-camp-in-district/articleshow/100949557.cms Man killed in Manipur as guv visits relief camp in district], The Times of India, 13 June 2023. {{ProQuest|2825009310}}
</ref>
Other news reported that clashes continued till late evening, and nine people were injured in total, receiving bullet wounds.<ref name="Weekly Blitz">
[https://weeklyblitz.net/2023/06/13/manipur-violence-erupts-once-again-exchange-of-fire-between-militants-and-villagers-9-injured/ Manipur: Violence erupts once again, exchange of fire between militants and villagers, 9 injured], Weekly Blitz, 13 June 2023. {{ProQuest|2825202497}}
</ref><ref name="IFP 12 Jun">
[https://www.ifp.co.in/manipur/manipur-turmoil-fierce-gunfight-at-khamenlok-nine-injured Manipur Turmoil: Fierce gunfight at Khamenlok, nine injured], Imphal Free Press, 12 June 2023. {{ProQuest|2824817816}}
</ref> The ''[[Imphal Free Press]]'' provided the information that, as soon as the news about the gun battle was circulated, "women folks" ([[Meira Paibis]]) in the Khurai Lamlong Keithel area (a suburb of Imphal City on the route to Khamenlok) blocked the roads, so that the (central) armed forces could not reach the area. [[Indian Reserve Battalion]] (IRB) commandos, made up of Meitei personnel, are said to have reached the spot, however.<ref name="IFP 12 Jun" />

In contradiction to the above reports, Sagolmang police claimed that "suspected Kuki militants" from Khopibung and Khamenlok villages were attacking the Nongsum village, and that the latter's "village volunteers" were defending themselves, despite admitting that the gunfight was taking place at the Khamenlok village.<ref name="IFP 12 Jun"/> Having reproduced these claims, the ''[[Imphal Free Press]]'' corrected itself two days later by admitting that the Kuki villages were "already ... burnt down by village volunteers".<ref name="IFP 14 Jun">
[https://www.ifp.co.in/manipur/three-more-villages-burned-down-in-khamenlok-area Three more villages burned down in Khamenlok area], Imphal Free Press, 14 June 2023. {{ProQuest|2825344625}}
</ref> This portrayal of "Kuki militants" and "(Meitei) village volunteers" was later criticised by the Indian Army, which said that the (Meitei) assailants were a "mob".<ref name="NL media bias">
[https://www.newslaundry.com/2023/09/12/manipur-firs-nearly-2-months-before-editors-guild-report-army-letter-pointed-to-3-cases-media-bias Manipur FIRs: Nearly 2 months before Editors Guild report, army letter pointed to 3 cases, ‘media bias’], Newslaundry, 12 September 2023.
</ref>

The chief of Khopibung also criticised the Imphal media reports stating that the Kuki villagers were "scattered" (fled from the villages into the hills) and he was having to spend great efforts for gathering them again. He also revealed that four Kuki village volunteers had received bullet injuries.<ref name="IFP 14 Jun" />

=== 13–14 June ===
On 13 June, an estimated mob of 3,000 people went to attack the Khamenlok valley, some carrying sophisticated weapons.<ref name="Hindu 15 Jun"/> According to the ''Imphal Free Press'', after a few hours of firing, the villages Khopibung, Khamenlok, Aigejang and Chullouphai were burnt down.<ref name="IFP 14 Jun"/> However, the village chiefs of the area said that ''all'' the Kuki villages in Khamenlok valley sustained destruction.<ref name="EastMojo"/> Meitei women's groups again blocked roads and also blew up mobile towers, so that armed forces could not reach the area, and communications also became unavailable.<ref name="Hindu 15 Jun"/>{{sfn|Thapar|Hangshing|2023|loc=[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fV2PpL8m2s4?t=615 10:15 minutes in]}}

Late in the night, after 10 pm, while the Meitei mobs were celebrating or resting, Kuki villagers descended from the hills and attacked the Meiteis.<ref name="IndianExpress">
{{Cite news |title=9 killed in fresh violence in Manipur |website=The Indian Express |date=14 June 2023 |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/india/9-killed-in-fresh-violence-in-manipur-8661971/}}
</ref> They were described as coming with guns, spears, daggers, cleavers and other traditional weapons.<ref name="TOI 15 Jun" />
Early reports the next day said that eleven Meiteis were killed, and 23 Meiteis were injured.<ref>
IANS, [https://nagalandpost.com/index.php/2023/06/14/militants-gun-down-11-people-in-manipur/ Militants gun down 11 people in Manipur], Nagaland Post, 14 June 2023. {{ProQuest|2825415998}}
</ref><ref>
[https://www.thehindu.com/news/top-news-of-the-day-june-14-2023-gujarat-government-moves-47000-people-to-safety-ahead-of-cyclone-biparjoy-landfall-madras-high-court-judge-recuses-himself-from-hearing-habeas-corpus-plea-of-tamil-nad/article66968973.ece Top news of the day: Gujarat government moves 47,000 people to safety ahead of Cyclone Biparjoy's landfall; Madras High Court judge recuses himself from hearing habeas corpus plea of T.N. Minister Senthilbalaji's wife, and more], The Hindu, 14 June 2023.
</ref><ref>
{{citation |author=Iboyaima Laithangbam |title=Manipur violence: At least 11 killed in late night attack in Khamenlok |newspaper=The Hindu |date=14 June 2023 |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/manipur-khamenlok-many-killed-june-13-2023/article66967216.ece |at=03:51pm IST |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230614142119/https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/manipur-khamenlok-many-killed-june-13-2023/article66967216.ece |archive-date=14 June 2023 |url-status=deviated}}
</ref>
Later, the figures were revised down to nine killed and ten injured.<ref name="Hindu 15 Jun"/> In addition, five people were declared to be missing.<ref name="TOI 15 Jun"/>
In contrast to the official narrative, the Kuki village chiefs said "scores of well-armed Meiteis" were killed.<ref name="EastMojo"/>
The General Secretary of [[Kuki People's Alliance]] estimated that 200–300 Meiteis might have been killed, based on the number of weapons the Kukis recovered from the victims.<ref name="NEAffairs"/>{{sfn|Thapar|Hangshing|2023|loc=[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fV2PpL8m2s4?t=653 10:53 minutes in], [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fV2PpL8m2s4?t=922 15:22 minutes in]}}<ref>
[https://www.thesangaiexpress.com/Encyc/2023/7/31/By-Our-Staff-ReporterIMPHAL-Jul-30-Armed-groups-who-kill-fellow-men-to-achieve-Zalengam-don-t-deserve-re.html Zalengam : WMC sets record straight], The Sangai Express, 31 July 2023.
</ref>

The nine people who were officially declared killed, came from villages in valley districts such as Leimakhong, Khurai, Pangei and Ningthemcha. They also included a 32-year-old woman. None of them were local to the Khamenlok region.<ref name="TOI 15 Jun">
[https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/imphal/9-killed-10-injured-in-bloodiest-day-of-manipur-ethnic-clashes/articleshow/101001610.cms 9 killed, 10 injured in bloodiest day of Manipur ethnic clashes], The Times of India, 15 June 2023. {{ProQuest|2827618272}}
</ref> ''[[The Hindu]]'' described the Kuki attack as a "retaliatory strike by village guards",<ref name="Hindu 15 Jun" /> while the Imphal-based media continued calling them "Kuki militants", who supposedly attacked "(Meitei) village volunteers".<ref name="IFP church">
[https://www.ifp.co.in/manipur/manipur-violence-murder-in-church-nine-killed Manipur Violence: Murder in church, nine killed], Imphal Free Press, 14 June 2023. {{ProQuest|2825552540}}
</ref>

The official narrative said that the nine Meitei people killed were in a church building in the village of Aigejang. The surviving victims claimed that they had gone to deliver food to the Meitei mobs, while the Meitei fighters themselves were supposedly at other locations.<ref name="IFP church" /><ref name="IndianExpress" />

== Aftermath ==
On 20 June, thousands of Kuki villagers including those from the Khamenlok area protested in [[Saikul]], saying ten villages of Khamenlok were burnt down. They questioned the prime minister's silence and sought his immediate intervention.<ref>
[https://northeastlivetv.com/topnews/saikul-protests-torching-of-khamenloks-villages-seeks-pms-intervention Saikul protests torching of Khamenlok's villages, seeks PM's intervention], Northeast Live, 20 June 2023.
</ref>

On 24 June, a memorial was held for the nine Meitei people killed in the clash. The Meitei activist group Eramdam Kanba Lup (EKAL) urged the government to declare Khamenlok a [[Protected Forest]] and to establish a "war cemetery" for the killed fighters. The president of the Meetei Peace Committee emphasised upholding the "spirit of patriotism" embodied in the nine fighters and the responsibility to safeguard "Manipur's integrity".<ref>
[https://www.ifp.co.in/manipur/ritual-performed-for-khamenlok-attack-victims Ritual performed for Khamenlok attack victims], Imphal Free Press, 24 June 2023.
</ref>

Previously, the [[Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity]] (COCOMI), characterised the Kuki fighters as "narco-terrorists" and declared that the sacrifices made by Meitei civilian volunteers would not go in vain.<ref>
[https://www.thesangaiexpress.com/Encyc/2023/6/15/By-Our-Staff-ReporterIMPHAL-Jun-14-The-Coordinating-Committee-on-Manipur-Integrity-COCO-MI-ha.html Expose those instigating the crisis: COCOMI], The Sangai Express, 15 June 2023.
</ref>
The [[Indigenous Tribal Leaders Forum]] countered the narrative, and questioned how the supposedly innocent civilians die in tribal Kuki-Zo villages.<ref>
[https://www.thehillsjournal.com/how-do-those-supposedly-innocent-civilians-die-in-tribal-kuki-zo-villages-on-june-13-asks-itlf/ How do those supposedly innocent civilians die in tribal Kuki-Zo villages on June 13; asks ITLF], The Hills Journal, 15 June 2023.
</ref>
[[Kuki Inpi Manipur]] also blamed COCOMI for its "open war declaration" which it said provoked the attacks on Kuki villages.<ref>PTI, [https://nagalandpost.com/index.php/2023/06/16/fresh-violence-erupts-as-houses-set-ablaze-in-manipur/ Fresh violence erupts as houses set ablaze in Manipur] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250216171456/https://nagalandpost.com/index.php/2023/06/16/fresh-violence-erupts-as-houses-set-ablaze-in-manipur/ |date=2025-02-16 }}, Nagaland Post, 16 June 2023.</ref>{{efn|COCOMI had declared a "national war against Chin-Kuki narcoterrorists" on 7 June. It valorised violence claiming that all victims would be solemnised as "the brave sons and daughters of the Motherland Manipur".<ref>{{citation |first=Purailatpam |last=Keny Devi |title=Manipur violence: COCOMI declares national war against Chin-Kuki Narco terrorists |newspaper=India Today NE |date=7 June 2023 |url=https://www.indiatodayne.in/manipur/story/manipur-violence-cocomi-declares-national-war-against-chin-kuki-narco-terrorists-572302-2023-06-07 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230607145550/https://www.indiatodayne.in/manipur/story/manipur-violence-cocomi-declares-national-war-against-chin-kuki-narco-terrorists-572302-2023-06-07 |archive-date=7 June 2023}}</ref><ref>{{citation |last=Samrat |title=Notion States: The many nationalisms colliding in the Manipur violence |magazine=The Caravan |date=17 June 2023 |url=https://caravanmagazine.in/conflict/many-nationalisms-colliding-manipur-violence}}</ref>}} The organisation also claimed that chief minister [[N. Biren Singh]] was at the Nongsum village adjacent to the Khamenlok area when Songjang and Govajang villages were being attacked and burnt.<ref>
[https://www.thehillsjournal.com/13-kuki-zo-villages-burnt-down-kim-condemns-unabated-attacks-on-kuki-villages/ 13 Kuki-Zo Villages burnt down; KIM condemns unabated attacks on Kuki villages], The Hills Journal, 15 June 2023.
</ref>

''[[The News Minute]]'' wrote in August that, even two months after the clash, journalists were not allowed access to the Khamenlok area. Meitei vigilante groups including [[Meira Paibis]] made sure that nobody entered the villages. Police claimed that the area was dangerous as it was infested with "militants from Myanmar" who would shoot down any journalists entering it. They also pointed to bunkers on hilltops, which they claimed belonged to "Kuki militants". However, ''The News Minute'' found that the bunkers belonged to the Indian Army. The vigilantes also prevented the journalists from talking to Army personnel. The Kuki villagers who fled the area and were then living in relief camps said, "there is nothing left in the villages. They burnt everything down".<ref>
Haritha John, Binu Karunakaran, [https://www.thenewsminute.com/news/manipur-ground-report-meiteis-bar-entry-10-kuki-villages-were-burnt-down-181218 Manipur ground report: Meitei groups bar entry to 10 Kuki villages that were burnt down], The News Minute, 18 August 2023.
</ref>

Kuki parties blamed the Meitei militia [[Arambai Tenggol]] for speearheading the attacks on their villages.<ref name="Wire 28 Jan">
Yaqut Ali, [https://thewire.in/communalism/manipur-more-clashes-sit-in-protests-moreh More Clashes Reported in Manipur; Moreh Residents Demand Removal of State Forces], The Wire, 28 January 2024.
</ref><ref name="Rediff 15 Jun">
Prasanna D. Zore, [https://www.rediff.com/news/special/i-told-amit-shah-manipur-must-have-presidents-rule/20230615.htm 'I Told Amit Shah Manipur Must Have President's Rule'], Rediff.com, 15 June 2023.
</ref> Cadres of the Meitei insurgent group [[United National Liberation Front]] (UNLF) were also said to have been involved.<ref name="THJ 16 Jun">
[https://www.thehillsjournal.com/if-security-forces-could-not-protect-us-allow-the-soo-groups-to-protect-us-says-khamenlok-area-chiefs/ If security forces could not protect us allow the SoO groups to protect us says Khamenlok area chiefs], The Hills Journal, 16 June 2023.
</ref><ref name="Maktoob 16 Jun">
[https://maktoobmedia.com/india/calculated-state-sponsored-design-at-displacing-us-from-our-homeland-letter-from-10-kuki-villages-in-manipur “Calculated state sponsored design at displacing us from our homeland…”: Letter from 10 Kuki villages in Manipur], Maktoob Media, 16 June 2023.
</ref><ref name="TFM Pambei">
[https://thefrontiermanipur.com/pambei-led-unlf-mourns-demise-of-private-chamba/ Pambei-led UNLF mourns demise of Private Chamba], The Frontier Manipur, 24 March 2024.
</ref>

=== Editors Guild of India investigation ===
On 12 July, the [[Indian Army|Indian Army's]] Information Warfare wing wrote to the [[Editors Guild of India]], raising the issue of bias in Imphal media. The reporting on Khamenlok clash was cited as one of the examples of biased reporting. The letter cited a "mob" attacking the Khamenlok village and the adjoining areas, which was duly supported by womenfolk (Meira Paibis) that blocked Army troops from reaching the village. After carrying out arson of multiple villages, the members of the mob or those supporting them were killed in a "retaliatory strike". Notwithstanding the truth, the letter said that the newspapers in Imphal covered the incident as civilians being killed by "Kuki militants". This and other similar examples were "outright (mis)representation of facts", the Army said, and saw such reporting as a major contributor to the instigation of further violence. It invited the Editors Guild of India to investigate the media bias of Imphal media.<ref name="Wire media bias">
[https://thewire.in/media/manipur-violence-imphal-media-army-letter-editors-guild 'Bias of Manipur Media Towards a Community, Total Misrepresentation of Facts': Army's Letter to EGI], The Wire, 12 September 2023.
</ref><ref name="NL media bias"/>

The Editors Guild of India sent a team of three senior editors who investigated the allegations and confirmed that the Imphal media reported fake news and spread disinformation, which progressively deepened the ethnic divide in Manipur. Their report also called out the Imphal media for vilifying security forces, which was being tacitly supported by the state government and Manipur Police.<ref>
[https://scroll.in/latest/1055322/journalists-in-manipur-wrote-one-sided-reports-says-editors-guild-fact-finding-team Journalists in Manipur wrote ‘one-sided reports’, says Editors Guild fact-finding team], Scroll.in, 3 September 2023.
</ref><ref>
[https://www.newslaundry.com/2023/09/15/2023/09/02/govt-partisan-manipur-medias-fake-news-deepening-divide-editors-guild-fact-finding Govt ‘partisan’, fake news in Manipur media deepening divide: Editors’ Guild fact-finding report], Newslaundry, 2 September 2023.
</ref> In the section titled "Fake News and Disinformation", the report wrote:
{{blockquote|13 June: There was an attack on Kuki villages of Khamenlok and adjoining areas on June 12, supported by Meitei women folk in the mob. Some members of both sides, without any intervention of the security forces, were blocked by the Meitei women folk from reaching the burning villages. Few amongst those who got killed were not locals and had been killed elsewhere in the counter-attacks the following day by the Kukis. The Manipur media inverted the role of the Meitei mobs and reported the incidents as being instigated by “Kuki militants” who attacked and killed Meiteis.{{sfnp|EGI, Report of the Fact-finding Mission|2023|pp=23–24}}}}
This was one among a dozen examples cited for fake news and disinformation.{{sfnp|EGI, Report of the Fact-finding Mission|2023|pp=23–24}}

The chief minister [[N. Biren Singh]] reacted angrily to the report claiming that the Editors Guild of India had "no authority" to constitute a fact-finding team and carry out an investigation in Manipur. He directed the state government to file an [[First Information Report|FIR]] against the members of the Editors Guild who, he claimed, were "trying to create more clashes" in Manipur.<ref>
[https://scroll.in/latest/1055363/fir-in-manipur-against-editors-guild-for-report-on-media-coverage-of-conflict FIR in Manipur against Editors Guild for report on media coverage of conflict], Scroll.in, 4 September 2023.
</ref><ref>
[https://www.reuters.com/world/india/indias-manipur-charges-four-journalists-with-misrepresenting-violence-state-2023-09-05/ India's Manipur charges four journalists over report into ethnic violence], Reuters, 5 September 2023.
</ref>
The Editors Guild moved the [[Supreme Court of India]], which protected them from arrest.<ref>
[https://www.thehindu.com/newsletter/the-evening-wrap/supreme-court-protects-editors-guild-of-india-journalists-from-arrest-by-manipur-police/article67278111.ece Supreme Court protects Editors Guild of India journalists from arrest by Manipur Police], ''The Hindu'', 6 September 2023.
</ref> The Supreme Court also grilled the complainants, challenging them how the offences cited for the Editors Guild could be substantiated. "Your entire complaint is a counter-narrative of the government", said the Supreme Court, ruling that the Editors Guild was entitled to freedom of speech.<ref>
Krishnadas Rajagopal, [https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/editors-guild-report-on-manipur-coverage-may-be-right-or-wrong-but-that-is-what-free-speech-is-all-about-cji/article67311353.ece Editors Guild of India has right to free speech, says CJI], ''The Hindu'', 15 September 2023.
</ref><ref>
[https://scroll.in/latest/1055784/its-a-report-not-an-offence-committed-on-ground-says-sc-on-firs-against-editor-guild-members ‘It’s a report, not an offence committed on ground,’ says SC on FIRs against Editor Guild members], Scroll.in, 11 September 2023.
</ref>

== Notes ==
{{Notelist}}

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

; Sources
* {{citation |title=Imphal East District Census Handbook |publisher=Directorate of Census Operations, Manipur |year=2011 |url=https://cdn.s3waas.gov.in/s3a684eceee76fc522773286a895bc8436/uploads/2018/03/2018032977.pdf |ref={{sfnref|Imphal East District Census Handbook|2011}}}}
* {{citation |title=Senapati District Census Handbook |publisher=Directorate of Census Operations, Manipur |year=2011 |url=https://censusindia.gov.in/nada/index.php/catalog/852/download/36276/DH_2011_1401_PART_A_DCHB_SENAPATI.pdf |ref={{sfnref|Senapati District Census Handbook|2011}}}}
* {{citation |title=Report of the Fact-finding Mission on Media's Reportage of the Ethnic Violence in Manipur |publisher=Editors Guild of India |date=2 September 2023 |url=https://editorsguild.in/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/EGI-report-on-Manipur.pdf |ref={{sfnref|EGI, Report of the Fact-finding Mission|2023}}}}
* {{cite AV media |people=Karan Thapar, William L. Hangshing |title=Kuki Leader Who Once Backed Biren Manipur Govt Claims '200 Meiteis Killed' in Khamenlok, June 13/14 |publisher=The Wire |via=YouTube |date=27 July 2023 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fV2PpL8m2s4 |ref={{sfnref|Thapar|Hangshing|2023}}}}

[[Category:Kangpokpi district]]
[[Category:2023–2026 Manipur conflict]]

Khamenlok clash - Revision history

KurtRech189 at 13:32, 1 May 2026