Two Naga Civilians Killed in Fresh Manipur Firing, CM Condemns Attack

Two Naga civilians were killed and two others injured when armed assailants opened fire inside the village chief's house at Kalenjang in Manipur's Senapati district on Saturday afternoon, in the second attack on Naga civilians in three days.

Police reached the village shortly after the firing to assess the situation, but what triggered the attack is not yet known. The deceased have been identified as Rocky and Kumar, residents of two different villages in Senapati district. The identities and condition of the two injured persons were not immediately available.

Local sources alleged that members of the Kuki tribe were behind the attack. There has been no official word on the identity of those responsible.

Manipur Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh condemned the killing, describing it as a cowardly act of violence against innocent lives. His office said the two injured persons had been shifted to a hospital in Senapati for immediate medical treatment, and that the Chief Minister had conveyed his condolences to the bereaved families and wished the injured a speedy recovery.

The Chief Minister was in the Mao area on Saturday, about 30 km from the incident site, attending the silver jubilee celebrations of Don Bosco College (Autonomous), Maram.

The attack came two days after four civilians were killed in an armed attack in Kamjong district near the India-Myanmar border, which had heightened concerns among Naga civil society organisations about the safety of Naga civilians.

Saturday's incident coincided with the United Naga Council's decision to temporarily suspend its economic blockade following tripartite talks with the Centre and the Manipur government in Assam. The blockade was linked to the council's demands over the killing of six Naga men abducted in May.

The council has demanded the revocation of the Suspension of Operations agreement with Kuki armed groups, the immediate removal of Deputy Chief Minister Nemcha Kipgen, and justice for the six men. It has also sought action against those allegedly involved in the abductions and killings, and the designation of the Kuki National Front-President as a terrorist organisation.

The six men were abducted from Leilon Vaiphei village on May 13, according to the council and other Naga organisations, and their bodies were recovered in June. Justice for them has been a central plank of the council's agitation.

The latest firing has also drawn attention to the security situation in Kalenjang, where local sources said two houses were allegedly set ablaze by criminals in July.