Imphal, Oct 12: Amid fresh violence in Manipur that has claimed nine lives, a Naga civil society organisation has issued a 48-hour ultimatum demanding the return of the severed head of 52-year-old Ajinbou R, allegedly killed in an attack in Kangpokpi district.
The Joint Tribes Council Manipur (JTCM) has demanded that Ajinbou’s head be returned to his family for a dignified burial.
His headless body was brought to the Jawaharlal Nehru Institute of Medical Sciences (JNIMS) in Imphal for a post-mortem on Sunday night.
In a statement issued on Sunday, the council said the post-mortem would not be conducted until the missing head is returned to the family.
“We will not allow state machinery to mutilate the remains further while his head is treated as a trophy by militants,” the JTCM said.
Holding the state and Central governments responsible for the renewed violence, the council described the incident as “an affront to humanity” and issued what it called a “non-negotiable 48-hour ultimatum” to locate and return the severed head.
Ajinbou was among the victims identified following a spate of killings across the hill districts of Kamjong, Ukhrul and Kangpokpi on Friday and Saturday, amid escalating clashes involving Naga and Kuki armed groups.
Meanwhile, the All Naga Students’ Association, Manipur (ANSAM), has alleged the involvement of the Kuki National Army-Burma (KNA-B), armed groups operating under the Suspension of Operations (SoO) arrangement, and the Kuki Village Volunteers Eastern Zone (VVEZ).
It also cited allegations involving the KNF-P, KNF-N and Kuki Revolutionary Army (KRA) in attacks on Makui and Tapon villages. These allegations couldn’t been independently verified by The Assam Tribune and remain subject to investigation.
According to statements by the organisations, four Naga village guards were killed in attacks at Makui and Tapon villages in Kangpokpi district on October 10.
ANSAM identified them as Machungamang Daimai, Dibambou Ringkangmai, Ajinbou R and Ramningpou Robert Gangmei. The JTCM listed the last victim as Ramningpou Gangmei.
Two other Naga civilians, Ngachanso Ningshen and Leishisan Leishadang, were reportedly killed in a separate attack at Ningchou in Kamjong district.
The organisations also reported injuries and the burning of houses and other property. The United Naga Council (UNC), meanwhile, raised concerns over killings at Pilong and called for stronger security in vulnerable Naga areas.
The names and details in the separate statements vary and require reconciliation with official records. Allegations regarding the perpetrators also remain under investigation.
Meanwhile, Chief Minister Y Khemchand Singh has condemned the killings and directed the authorities concerned to take immediate and effective steps to control the situation, restore peace and order, and ensure the safety and security of all citizens.
With inputs from PTI