Three Killed, Houses Burnt In Kangpokpi District of Manipur
Security sources said that three civilians were killed in exchange of fire between rival groups for several minutes, which prompted villagers to run for shelter in nearby forest areas
Guwahati: Amid the ongoing hostage crisis at least three civilians were killed and about seven houses were set ablaze in Loibol village under Kangpokpi district of Manipur on Friday.
Informing that the attack took place early morning around 4 am, security sources said that the deceased have been identified as Letkhongam Haokip, his wife Tinmary Haokip, and Jangminlal Haokip.
Security sources said that three civilians were killed in exchange of fire between rival groups for several minutes, which prompted villagers to run for shelter in nearby forest areas.
Meanwhile, a viral video that surfaced on Friday morning, purportedly recorded in the affected village, appears to show armed assailants moving amid the violence. In the footage, a man speaking in a Kuki dialect is heard directing another armed assailants, saying, “Shoot this side, now that side.” After several shots are fired, the man is heard praising the shooter, saying, “Well done.”
The authenticity of the video and the circumstances surrounding its recording could not be independently verified but security sources said that viral video has also come to their notice and they are looking into it.
The Kuki Inpi Manipur (KIM), the apex body of Kuki tribes in the state, has condemned the attack and demanded an investigation to apprehend the perpetrators.
“KIM unequivocally denounces this barbaric act of violence against unarmed civilians. The deliberate killing of innocent persons, and the destruction of homes and livelihoods constitute a serious violation of human dignity and fundamental human rights," it said in a statement.
The Kuki Women Organisation for Human Rights (KWOHR) has also strongly condemned the brutal killing of three innocent civilians and accused the NSCN-IM and ZUF-Kamson groups of being responsible for it. “KWOHR is deeply alarmed by the persistent pattern of violence carried out against Kuki civilians. NSCN-IM and ZUF-Kamson groups continue to attack Kuki villages, destroy properties, and take innocent lives, creating fear and insecurity among peaceful communities,” the KWOHR said. It further stated that equally disturbing is the silence of the government in the face of such repeated acts of violence. KWOHR urged the Government of India and all authorities concerned to take immediate and decisive action against the perpetrators. Failure to act only emboldens those responsible and places more innocent lives at risk, the statement said.
The Coordination Committee Longmai Area, while condemning the attack, has accused Kuki militants of being responsible for the act. It has called on the government to remove all Suspension of Operation (SoO) camps immediately from the region. “Militants under the SoO are reportedly operating in the area with sophisticated weapons, threatening the Naga villagers of Pongringlong Pondaijang,” it said, while advising the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious movements in and around Naga-inhabited villages in the state.
