Imphal, June 5 (IANS) Manipur Chief Minister, Yumnam Khemchand Singh, on Friday asserted that the deliberate targeting of unarmed civilians is completely unacceptable and that the government will not spare those responsible for such barbaric acts.

Condemning the killing of three people, including a woman, by unidentified armed assailants at the tribal-inhabited Loibol Khullen village in Manipur’s Kangpokpi district on Friday, the Chief Minister directed the state police and central security agencies to immediately identify and apprehend the perpetrators.

Terming the incident as a heinous and cowardly act, Singh said that the deliberate targeting of innocent and unarmed civilians cannot be tolerated under any circumstances and assured that stringent action would be taken against those involved.

He also instructed the authorities concerned to strengthen security arrangements in vulnerable areas and ensure that all necessary relief and assistance are provided to the affected families.

The Chief Minister also condemned the brutal killing of Manipur Police Havildar Suresh Singh, who was stabbed to death while on duty during an anti-narcotics operation on the night of June 3.

He lauded the Thoubal District Police for their prompt action in arresting the prime accused on June 4 and extended his deepest condolences to the bereaved family of the deceased policeman.

Manipur Police Havildar Suresh Singh was killed after being allegedly attacked by a suspected drug trafficker during an anti-narcotics operation in Thoubal district on June 3. A police official said that a team from the Commando Unit (CDO) of Thoubal district had detained two individuals on Wednesday based on specific Intelligence inputs regarding illicit drug trafficking activities.

During the operation, one of the detainees, identified as Md. Naobi alias Mahil (25), allegedly attacked Havildar Suresh Singh of the 4th Battalion of the Manipur Rifles (IRB) with a knife, inflicting fatal injuries.

The injured policeman was immediately rushed to the District Hospital in Thoubal, where doctors declared him brought dead later that night.

Following the attack, the accused allegedly fled from the spot along with the other detainee. After intensive search operations launched by the police, the prime accused, Md. Naobi alias Mahil, was arrested by the Thoubal District Police on June 4.

Meanwhile, various tribal organisations, including the Kuki-Zo Council (KZC) and Kuki Inpi Manipur (KIM), strongly condemned the attack carried out on Friday at Loibol Khullen village in Kangpokpi district.

In a statement, the KZC alleged that militants belonging to the NSCN-IM and ZUF (Kamson) were involved in the incident.

The organisation said that the armed assailants reportedly attacked the village, killing three villagers — Letkhongam Haokip, Tinmary Haokip and Jangminlal Haokip. Seven houses were also set ablaze during the attack, leaving several families devastated and homeless.

“This latest tragedy follows a series of attacks on the Kuki-Zo people, including the killing of two young boys at Thawai Kuki Village in Ukhrul district, the murder of three pastors, and the burning of Kharam Vaiphei Village in Kangpokpi district,” the statement said.

According to the KZC, these repeated acts of violence have deepened fear and insecurity within the Kuki-Zo community and reinforced the belief that Kuki-Zo lives no longer matter in Manipur.

“We reiterate that the Kuki-Zo people have a legitimate political demand before the Government of India, and our representatives remain engaged in dialogue with the Ministry of Home Affairs to achieve a lasting political solution. We have no desire to be drawn into fresh conflicts with any community and remain committed to pursuing our aspirations through democratic and constitutional means,” the statement added.

The KZC urged the government of India to expedite a political solution to its long-standing demands so that the Kuki-Zo people may live in peace, security and dignity like every other citizen of India.

–IANS

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