Former Manipur chief minister N. Biren Singh on Monday condemned the killing of Naga village guards in Makui village in Kangpokpi district as “barbaric” and called on communities to resolve their grievances through dialogue rather than violence.
Biren Singh made the remarks while speaking to the media at the mortuary of the Jawaharlal Nehru Institute of Medical Sciences (JNIMS) in Imphal, where the bodies of two slain village guards were brought late on Sunday night. He visited the hospital to meet the bereaved families and offer his condolences.
The deceased were identified as Dibambou Ringkangmai, 48, and Ajinbou Ringkangmai, 52, both residents of Makui village. They were among three Naga village guards reportedly killed in an attack by suspected armed militants at Makui Ashang Naga village on October 10. The third victim was identified as Machungamang Daimai, 23, of Thalon village.
“Such killings are barbaric and highly condemnable. Nobody should resort to violence or use force against civilians. If anyone has demands, they should come forward for talks and dialogue,” Biren Singh said.
Questioning the security arrangements in the interior hill areas, the former chief minister said incidents of killing, kidnapping and arson could potentially be prevented through adequate security deployment and stronger intelligence gathering. He stressed the need for effective preventive measures to protect civilians and vulnerable settlements.
Biren Singh also appealed to communities to live peacefully and reiterated his support for the proposed National Register of Citizens (NRC) as a measure to address concerns over illegal immigration.
“The government has already proposed the NRC, and the Centre has listened to the request. It will surely be implemented soon. Why should we fight among ourselves when the NRC will address the issue of illegal immigrants? Instead of fighting each other, let us try to live together,” he said.
The attack reportedly took place on the morning of October 10 at Makui Ashang Naga village, along the Imphal-Tamei road in Kangpokpi district. Suspected armed militants allegedly attacked the village with sophisticated weapons. Reports also indicated an ambush at nearby Tapon Liangmai village.
A video circulated on social media purportedly showed Ajinbou’s body with his head allegedly severed. The circumstances surrounding the footage and the identities of those responsible have not been independently verified.
Meanwhile, the Working Committee of the Joint Tribes Council (JTC-Manipur), representing the Inpui, Liangmai, Rongmei and Zeme communities, announced that post-mortem examinations of the deceased would remain suspended until Ajinbou’s missing head was recovered and returned to his family for a dignified burial.
The committee issued a 48-hour ultimatum to the governments of India and Manipur, demanding the recovery of the missing remains and the arrest of Thangboi Kipgen, David Hangsing and Dr Sailen Haokip, whom it named as alleged perpetrators in its statement. The allegations against the named individuals have not been independently established.