7 months ago
Kuki-Zo Groups Protest Shaurya Chakra Award to CRPF Officer
There is a big argument in India about a brave award called the Shaurya Chakra given to a police officer named Vipin Wilson.
The officer was awarded for stopping an attack in Manipur, a state in India.
However, some groups from the Kuki-Zo tribe say the 10 people killed were not attackers but volunteers protecting their village.
They are very upset and want the award to be taken back.
They also want a fair investigation by the Supreme Court.
The conflict between different groups in Manipur has been going on since May 2023 and has caused many deaths and people to leave their homes.
CRPF officer Vipin Wilson awarded the Shaurya Chakra for neutralizing 10 individuals in Manipur on November 11, 2024.
Kuki-Zo groups ITLF and KOHUR claim the 10 deceased were tribal village volunteers protecting their community, not insurgents.
ITLF and KOHUR demand the immediate revocation of the award and an independent investigation supervised by the Supreme Court.
The conflict between Meiteis and Kuki-Zos in Manipur started on May 3, 2023, resulting in over 265 deaths and 60,000 displaced.
Manipur is currently under President’s rule.
- Who
- CRPF officer Vipin Wilson, Kuki-Zo tribal village volunteers, Indigenous Tribal Leaders’ Forum (ITLF), Kuki Organisation for Human Rights Trust (KOHUR)
- What
- Controversy over the awarding of the Shaurya Chakra to CRPF officer Vipin Wilson for an incident in Manipur
- Where
- Jiribam district, Manipur, India
- When
- Incident on November 11, 2024; Protests and demands for revocation thereafter
- Why
- Kuki-Zo groups claim the 10 deceased were tribal village volunteers protecting their community, not insurgents, and demand an independent investigation
Key facts
- Award
- Shaurya Chakra
- Recipient
- CRPF officer Vipin Wilson
- Incident Date
- November 11, 2024
- Location
- Jiribam district, Manipur
- Casualties
- 10 Kuki-Zo tribal village volunteers
- Organizations Protesting
- Indigenous Tribal Leaders’ Forum (ITLF), Kuki Organisation for Human Rights Trust (KOHUR)
- Conflict Start Date
- May 3, 2023
- Conflict Death Toll
- Over 265
- Displaced Persons
- 60,000
- Current Status of Manipur
- Under President’s rule
Quotes
Kuki Organisation for Human Rights Trust
An organization advocating for the human rights of the Kuki-Zo community in Manipur.
“Credible evidence, including forensic reports and eyewitness testimonies, confirms that the victims were unarmed or minimally armed civilians performing community defence duties during a period of ethnic violence.”
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“The state narrative labelling them as militants is a fabrication designed to justify a one-sided, disproportionate use of lethal force.”
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Indigenous Tribal Leaders’ Forum
An organization representing the Kuki-Zo community in Manipur.
“The men were a ragtag bunch of mostly daily-wage workers who volunteered to protect their people – not trained ‘militants’ as alleged by the police.”
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Sources
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