Beyond the divide: Kuki-Zo community rescues injured Meitei man in highway mishap

In a display of humanity that transcended entrenched ethnic divides, members of the Kuki-Zo community in conflict-hit Manipur rushed to rescue a critically injured Meitei man after a road accident along National Highway-2 in Sadar Hills, Kangpokpi District.

The incident occurred around 3:00 PM near Keithelmanbi Military Colony, a Kuki-Zo dominated area, when a truck transporting potatoes to Imphal met with a serious accident. 

On hearing the crash, local residents quickly mobilised, running to the site to assist without hesitation.

To their surprise, the rescuers found a man gravely injured and partially hidden among the sacks of potatoes in the mangled vehicle. 

He was later identified as Hemam Prem Singh (36), son of H. Inaocha Singh, a resident of Moirang Turenbul Leikai, Ward No. 4 in Bishnupur District.

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Despite ongoing inter-ethnic tensions between the Meitei and Kuki-Zo communities, which have led to significant unrest across the state, locals did not pause to consider the victim's identity. 

Instead, they prioritized his life, working alongside Border Security Force (BSF) personnel deployed for Road Opening Patrol (ROP) duties in the sensitive zone to provide immediate assistance.

The Kuki-Zo residents ensured the injured man received medical attention at the earliest, arranging for his evacuation to a hospital for urgent treatment.

The humanitarian gesture comes even as the Kuki-Zo community continues to express deep opposition to the government’s Free Movement Regime (FMR) policy and remains embroiled in conflict with Meitei groups. 

Yet, in a moment that stood apart from the prevailing hostilities, the spirit of compassion prevailed.