Imphal, Oct 20: A 45-year-old Kuki villager was shot dead by unidentified gunmen in Manipur’s Kangpokpi district on Tuesday morning, while another man accompanying him escaped unhurt, police said, amid continuing concerns over civilian safety in the state.
The deceased, Paolen Khongsai of P. Molding village, and the survivor, identified as Laldenga, were reportedly travelling towards a forested area between P. Molding and Molhoi villages to collect bamboo shoots when they came under fire around 8 am.
Khongsai sustained fatal gunshot injuries and died at the spot, while Laldenga escaped without injury. The incident occurred in a forested area about 13 km from Leimakhong Police Station.
Police have registered a case in connection with the killing. Khongsai’s body was expected to be taken to Kangpokpi for a post-mortem examination.
The Kuki Youth Organisation (KYO), Leimakhong Block, condemned the killing and alleged the involvement of the NSCN-IM and ZUF-Kamson.
The allegations have not been independently verified by The Assam Tribune and police have identified the assailants only as unidentified gunmen.
The organisation also raised concerns over the alleged withdrawal of security personnel from Leimakhong, questioning the impact on the safety of residents.
Seeking immediate intervention, KYO demanded the restoration of security arrangements in Leimakhong and equal justice for victims irrespective of their ethnic identity.
The latest incident comes amid heightened tensions following two separate attacks in Imphal East and Thoubal districts on Monday, in which four civilians were killed.
Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh on Tuesday directed security forces to apprehend those responsible for the Imphal East killings.
He also chaired separate meetings with National Democratic Alliance (NDA) legislators and senior security officials at the Secretariat to review the situation following the attack and recent violence in Thoubal district.
A 48-hour statewide general strike called over the Imphal East attack disrupted normal life on Tuesday, adding to the uncertainty as authorities faced renewed calls to ensure civilian safety across Manipur.