Imphal, May 13 (IANS) Manipur Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh on Wednesday strongly condemned the killing of three civilians and the injuring of four others in an ambush by unidentified armed miscreants in Kangpokpi district.

In a statement, the Chief Minister described the attack as a “dastardly act of terror” after armed assailants opened fire on a group of civilians between the Kotlen and Kotzim areas of Kangpokpi district, resulting in the death of three innocent people and injuries to four others.

Of the four injured, three were shifted to a hospital in Imphal for treatment. The Chief Minister, accompanied by Deputy Chief Minister Losii Dikho, Home Minister Konthoujam Govindas Singh, several MLAs and senior government officials, visited the injured at the hospital in Imphal West district and enquired about their condition.

Singh announced that the state government would bear all medical expenses of the injured and directed the authorities to ensure that they received the best possible medical care.

“This act of violence is deeply troubling and devastating not only for the affected families but for the entire state, as it disrupts our path towards peace. Our state is gradually moving towards normalcy, and actions that undermine the collective efforts of the people to restore peace are unacceptable,” the Chief Minister said.

He asserted that terrorism and senseless violence targeting innocent civilians and threatening peace and humanity had no place in a civilised society.

“There can be no justification for terrorism in any form. The people of the state stand united against such acts of terror, and our resolve to fight terrorism remains unshakable,” Singh stated.

Expressing grief over the loss of lives, the Chief Minister said he was deeply shocked and saddened by the incident.

He appealed to all sections of society to maintain peace, exercise restraint and avoid emotional reactions. He also urged people to immediately stop abductions, hostage-taking and intimidation carried out on community lines, warning that such actions would only worsen the situation.

Singh assured the public that the government would use every available resource to identify and bring the perpetrators and their handlers to justice.

“I pray for the peace of the departed souls and for the speedy recovery of those injured,” he added.

Meanwhile, at least three people belonging to the Kuki community were killed and four others injured after unidentified armed men ambushed two vehicles in Manipur’s Kangpokpi district on Wednesday.

A police official in Imphal said unidentified armed cadres opened fire on the two vehicles along Tiger Road in the hilly Kangpokpi district, killing three persons on the spot. The victims were travelling in the vehicles when the ambush took place.

The deceased were identified as Vumthang, Pastor Paogoulen and Pastor Kaigoulun.

The Kuki Students’ Organisation (KSO) stated that all the victims were Baptist Church leaders belonging to the Kuki community.

–IANS

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