Lamka, Oct 16: The Kuki-Zo Council (KZC) has condemned a fatal ambush on Kuki-Zo civilians in Manipur’s Kamjong district and demanded an immediate, impartial investigation into the alleged involvement of cadres of the National Socialist Council of Nagalim-Isak-Muivah (NSCN-IM).
The incident took place around 4 pm on Thursday when four Kuki-Zo villagers travelling from Molvailup to Phaikoh to purchase essential commodities were allegedly ambushed by NSCN-IM cadres.
The attack killed Hatneikim Haokip on the spot, while her husband, Jamkhongam Haokip, sustained serious injuries, the council said.
The KZC claimed that the latest incident has taken the reported number of Kuki-Zo civilians killed in violence attributed to NSCN-IM and ZUF(K) to 30. It called for those responsible for the attack to be identified and brought to justice.
The council also raised questions over Deputy Chief Minister Losii Dikho’s allegations against his colleague Nemcha Kipgen, whom he reportedly accused of complicity in the killings of Naga civilians and sought to have removed from office.
Responding to the allegations, the KZC argued that claims concerning Dikho’s alleged links with NSCN-IM and ZUF(K), which the council holds responsible for civilian deaths, should also be investigated.
The council said accountability should be applied consistently and should not be influenced by political considerations.
The allegations concerning political figures and their purported associations were made by the KZC in its statement.
The council also called for equal treatment of armed groups under existing ceasefire arrangements and legal frameworks.
It argued that if Naga leaders in Manipur demand the abrogation of the Suspension of Operations (SoO) agreements with the Kuki National Organisation (KNO) and the United People’s Front (UPF), the ceasefire arrangement with NSCN-IM should also be reviewed for possible abrogation.
The KZC further questioned what it described as differing standards in legal action against armed groups. It argued that if the president of the Kuki National Front (P) is to face arrest as a terrorist, NSCN-IM’s leadership should also face equivalent legal action over its alleged involvement in the killings of Kuki-Zo civilians and the violence of the 1990s.
Also Read: Thadou Inpi urges community members to register, opposes blanket use of ‘Kuki’ identity
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