KAMJONG: Two members of a Tangkhul Naga family were among nine confirmed and identified victims of the communal violence that erupted in Manipur late Friday night, according to sources.
The two victims have been identified as Leishisan Hungyo and his nephew, Ngachanso Ningshen, both from Ningchou village in Kamjong district. Leishisan is survived by his wife and four children, while Ngachanso leaves behind his wife and two young children.
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According to villagers, the two were killed in an alleged ambush attack on the village by suspected Kuki militants at around 8.30 am on Saturday. The circumstances surrounding the incident have not been independently verified.
The mortal remains of the deceased were reportedly taken to Kamjong District Hospital for post-mortem examination. Sources said the Tangkhul Naga Long (TNL) is expected to organise a funeral programme on Sunday before the bodies are taken to their native village for the final rites.
Ningchou is a Tangkhul Naga village in Kamjong district, located around 10 km from the Indo-Myanmar border. It shares a border with Phaikoh, a Kuki village. The surrounding area has settlements belonging to both Naga and Kuki communities, making it vulnerable amid the ongoing communal tensions.
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In today’s confrontation, reliable sources stated, though officially unverified, that another two Kukis were killed and their weapons recovered. Sources also added that three Tangkhul Nagas sustained minor injuries in the confrontation.
The other identified victims include Domkhonei Touthang, wife of Lallenmung Touthang, and Michael Ngamminlen Haokip from Chassad village; Sandeep Rai, a member of the Gorkha community who was reportedly killed at Chepu Yaolen; and four Liangmai Nagas identified as Daimai Machunngammang, Ajinpou Ringkangmai, Robart and Dibambou Ringkangmai at Makui.
In a particularly disturbing account, sources alleged that Ajinpou Ringkangmai was killed by suspected Kuki militants and beheaded. He was the younger brother of the Makui Chairman. The allegation could not be independently verified at the time of filing this report.
