UKHRUL: Manipur Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh, 52-Tamei MLA Awangbow Newmai and the All Naga Students’ Association Manipur (ANSAM) have condemned the killing of Naga civilians at Kalenjang near Taphou Naga village in Senapati district on Saturday.
In a post on X, Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh described the attack as a “cowardly act of violence” against innocent lives. He said the two injured persons had been shifted to a hospital in Senapati for treatment.
MLA Awangbow Newmai, while condemning the incident, described it as a “continuous and senseless attack” on innocent civilians allegedly carried out by suspected Kuki militants.
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Newmai appealed to all communities to shun violence, coexist as peaceful neighbours and work collectively towards restoring peace and communal harmony in the state. He also expressed solidarity with the bereaved families and wished the injured a speedy recovery.
Meanwhile, ANSAM expressed shock and concern over the incident, stating that it occurred shortly after the Chief Minister’s visit to Senapati and raised serious questions over the law-and-order situation and what it termed the administration’s apathy.
According to ANSAM, two Naga civilians were killed and two others critically injured in an attack allegedly carried out by Kuki armed personnel under the Suspension of Operations (SoO) arrangement with the Government of India at Kalenjang, near Taphou Naga village, at around 3 p.m. on September 26.
The student body noted that the incident came a day after four Tangkhul Naga civilians were reportedly killed at Pilong in Kamjong district. It also occurred on the day the United Naga Council lifted its economic blockade following the Pilong killings.
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Condemning the incident in the strongest terms, ANSAM said no political grievance could justify the killing of innocent civilians.
The organisation demanded immediate government intervention and an independent investigation into the incident, identification and prosecution of those responsible, and effective measures to ensure the safety and security of Naga civilians.
ANSAM also expressed solidarity with the bereaved families and prayed for the recovery of the injured.
