Manipur Violence: Kenbo bikes make up more than half of the two-wheelers captured during the Manipur unrest. Rioters in Manipur are currently using illegal Chinese bikes called Kenbo.
These bikes have a history of being used in the opium trade in Manipur, but now that these activities are outlawed, the bikes are also being used as weapons in the violence in Manipur.
As per media reports more than 50% of the two-wheelers captured during the present turmoil in Manipur are Kenbo bikes.
Chinese-made bikes were prohibited by the governments of Manipur and Mizoram since they were reportedly used to smuggle drugs out of Myanmar in September 2021.
The well-known bike, Kenbo, was allegedly being used without a registration number and being sold on the underground market.
In March, Manipur intensified its crackdown on motorcycles. The arrests and bike seizures related to drug smuggling in the area were announced via a series of tweets from the chief minister, N Biren Singh. Since the motorcycles were filled with drugs, including opium.
Several Kenbo motorcycles that were transported from Myanmar illegally and were intended to be used primarily for the transit of drugs and poppy seeds through difficult terrain were seized.
The usual goals of Kenbo bike design and construction are cost and usefulness. They may cost as little as Rs 25,000, which is only a fourth of the cost of Indian bikes.
They are good for commuting, particularly in urban areas, because they are also very light and have lower engine sizes so even if the motorcycles are seized by the authorities, people only suffer a very minor financial loss.
Notably, the police had never conducted a significant operation to capture these bikes before in the bordering districts of Ukhrul, Kamjong, Tengnoupal, and Churachandpur in India.
On Sunday (June 25), a search operation was carried out by police and security forces in 7 districts throughout the state.
In the past 24 hours, Manipur police and security forces reportedly destroyed 12 bunkers belonging to individuals spreading unrest in these areas.
In Ukhrul and Kamjong, two violent hill districts, cannon bikes are being used carelessly. In these steep locations, these 125cc bikes are fairly prevalent.
The ongoing ethnic clashes between the Meitei and Kuki communities in Manipur have tragically resulted in the loss of over 100 lives.
Violent clashes have erupted in the region following a 'tribal solidarity march' held on May 3 in the hill districts, protesting against the Meitei community's demand for Scheduled Tribe (ST) status.