'Football tournament of Kuki militants?' Meitei group flags cultural event in Manipur brandishing guns

NEW DELHI: A video from Manipur has surfaced online, showing a football match where players, some appearing underage, were seen holding assault rifles while participating in the game.
The footage, taken at the Nohjang Kipgen Memorial Playground, depicted men in fluorescent jerseys playing football while openly carrying what appeared to be automatic weapons.
The video showed that the event, attended by over 300 people, featured various cultural performances, including traditional dances. Some underage children were seen guarding the performances while holding rifles.
The video was uploaded to YouTube by a user named Nampi Romeo Hansong.
Another version of the footage was shared by the Meitei Heritage Society, which raised concerns over the display of weapons. Their caption read: "This video of a football tournament in Manipur has gone viral on social media. What is deeply disturbing is the open display of sophisticated weapons by the so-called footballers. Or is it a football tournament of Kuki militants? We urge the authorities to investigate this open display of assault rifles."

Manipur has been in turmoil since May 2023, following a rally by the All Tribal Students Union of Manipur (ATSUM). The rally came in response to a high court order directing the state to consider granting Scheduled Tribe status to the Meitei community. The resulting ethnic conflict between the Meitei and Kuki-Zo communities has since led to widespread violence, with over 250 deaths and thousands displaced. Reports of gunfights, arson, and even drone attacks on civilian areas have contributed to the ongoing crisis.

In response to the unrest, Manipur chief minister N Biren Singh recently expressed regret over the prolonged violence, offering an apology to the people of the state. "This entire year has been very unfortunate. I feel regret, and I want to say sorry to the people of the state for what is happening till today, since last May 3," Singh stated. He urged the communities to put past grievances behind them and work towards peace. "We now have to forget past mistakes and have to start a new life."
Security forces have intensified efforts to curb the violence, making several arrests in recent operations. Nine militants from banned outfits were apprehended across various districts, including Imphal East, Imphal West, Kakching, and Thoubal. Among those arrested were five members of the Kangleipak Communist Party (City Meitei), a member of the United People's Party of Kangleipak (UPPK), and an operative of the Kangleipak Communist Party (MC) Progressive. Authorities seized weapons, ammunition, and explosives during the operations.