2 Nagas Shot Dead in Manipur
The killings took place barely an hour before the United Naga Council announced its decision to suspend its four-month-old economic blockade along national highways in the state.
Imphal: Suspected militants shot dead two Naga civilians and injured two others in Manipur’s Senapati district on Saturday, officials said.
The shooting took place around 3 pm at Kalajan village in the Naga-majority district. Officials had earlier placed the incident at Kalenjang village in Kangpokpi district.
The deceased were identified as Rocky Mao and Kumar Poumai. The injured, Adani Manio, 33, and Ashiho Sani, 49, were taken to a private hospital in Senapati district. The bodies were taken to Senapati District Hospital for post-mortem examination, officials said.
Chief Minister Y. Khemchand Singh condemned the killings, calling them a “cowardly act of violence”.
Former chief minister N. Biren Singh also condemned the killings and said more than 60 people had been murdered in the state this year. “The killing of Rocky from Chaowainamai village and Kumar from Laii Shirafii village is a matter of grave concern. Armed militants entered their homes and shot them dead while they were asleep. These were civilians who deserved to live without fear,” he said in a post on X.
“How long are we going to keep counting bodies instead of holding those responsible accountable and bringing the deteriorating law and order situation under control?” he asked.
The killings took place barely an hour before the United Naga Council announced its decision to suspend its four-month-old economic blockade along national highways in the state.
On the night of September 24, four Tangkhul Naga civilians were shot dead by suspected militants from Myanmar at Pilong village in Kamjong district, near the international border.
At least 13 people have been killed in separate gun attacks allegedly carried out by suspected militants this month in Tamenglong, Kangpokpi, Noney and Kamjong districts.