Imphal, October 15: The Kuki Inpi Manipur (KIM) on Thursday strongly condemned the alleged ambush and killing of a Kuki-Zo woman in Manipur’s Kamjong district, demanding immediate military action against those responsible and urgent efforts to trace two civilians who remain missing.
KIM identified the deceased as Hatneikim Haokip, wife of Jangkhongam Haokip, who was allegedly shot dead between 4 pm and 5 pm while travelling with three other civilians on two two-wheelers between Molnoi and Phaikoh.
According to the organisation, the victims were two couples travelling together when they came under attack. Hatneikim died on the spot, while her husband escaped despite sustaining bullet injuries.
The whereabouts of the other two travellers, D. Paokhothang Haokip and his wife, Boishi Haokip, both residents of Chassad village, remain unknown, KIM said.
In a particularly distressing detail, the organisation said Paokhothang and Boishi were the parents of Michael Ngamminlen Haokip, who was recently killed in an attack on Chassad village on October 10.
Describing the incident as an act of terror against unarmed civilians, KIM accused the NSCN (IM) of carrying out the ambush, alleging that the outfit had repeatedly targeted defenceless villagers, including women and children.
The organisation termed the killing an unprovoked and cowardly assault on an innocent woman, asserting that such attacks on civilians must not be allowed to continue with impunity.
Holding both the state and central governments accountable for the prevailing security situation, KIM alleged that administrative indecision and the failure to enforce law and order had emboldened armed groups to target vulnerable civilians.
“The government’s continued silence and lack of decisive action make it complicit in every innocent life lost,” the organisation said, accusing the authorities of failing to provide adequate security to vulnerable communities.
KIM demanded an immediate and comprehensive military operation to track down and apprehend those responsible for the killing, while urging the authorities to intensify efforts to locate the two missing civilians.
Rejecting what it described as mere assurances and lip service, the organisation called for concrete measures to neutralise armed elements operating in the region and ensure the safety of civilians.
It also extended condolences to the bereaved family, expressing solidarity with them amid the tragedy.
Warning of possible public unrest, KIM said the administration would bear responsibility for any escalation if it failed to take immediate and tangible steps to bring the perpetrators to justice, trace the missing civilians and guarantee the protection of innocent lives.