Manipur violence: Top tribal body demands AFSPA in valley after three killed in an ambush by armed miscreants

All efforts to prevail non-violence in the strife-torn Manipur continue to go in vain as three Kuki village volunteers from the Kangchup area in Kangpokpi district were killed this morning in an ambush by suspected Manipur's valley-based armed miscreants at around 8:30 am.

The incident occurred between Ireng Kom village and Kharam Vaiphei village in the Kangchup area when the trio who came in a Gypsy for medical treatment at Kangpokpi came under attack and ambushed by the suspected valley-based armed miscreants with sophisticated weapons.

The trio who were shot dead on the spot are identified as Satneo Tuboi and Ngamminlun Lhouvum of K. Ponlen village, and Ngamminlun Kipgen of Lhangkichoi village, who is also the General Secretary of Thadou Artiste Association.

Tension erupted in Kangpokpi district following the incident as all shops were closed in Kangpokpi district along the National Highway-2, while thousands of people congregated at Gamgiphai to receive the dead bodies recovered by police and Assam Rifles personnel.

Also Read: Manipur violence: Three persons from Kuki-Zo community reportedly killed in ambush by armed miscreants

The deceased Satneo Tuboi had left his wife and five children including an infant while Ngamminlun Lhouvum left his wife and three children.

A condolence service under the aegis of the Committee on Tribal Unity Sadar Hills Kangpokpi was held at Motbung Community Hall, where thousands across Kangpokpi mourned the dead of the trio while vehemently condemning the incident of the brutal killing.

Thadou Artiste Association also condoled the death of its General Secretary, Ngamminlun Kipgen, and wrapped a traditional shawl as a mark of respect and adieu.

Various prominent civil society organizations and the Committee on Tribal Unity Sadar Hills Kangpokpi also paid tribute to the departed souls and a minute silence was observed as a mass condolence while playing the ambulance siren to show respect to the departed souls by the CoTU's Medical Department.

At the Martyr's Cemetery at Phaijang village in Kangpokpi District, the Kuki-Zo volunteers paid a gun salute to the departed souls before a befitting burial was conducted.

Meanwhile, the Committee on Tribal Unity Sadar Hills Kangpokpi while condemning the incident in the strongest term, reiterated its demand for the Armed Forces Special Power Act in Manipur's valley.

CoTU's General Secretary, Lamminlun Singsit said that the repeated attacks on the Kuki-Zo villages by the state-sponsored terrorists from the valley continue unabated as three innocent village volunteers of the Kangchup area were killed this morning.

He said that such cold-blooded murder of the innocent Kuki-Zo Village volunteers will not be tolerated and befitting action will be taken against stray Meitei terrorists trespassing into the Hills.

He continued that the impersonation of State Police and Commandos by the alleged separatist terrorist has totally sufficed the complicity of the State governance. 

What kind of a government would allow such nefarious and bloodthirsty elements to carry out attacks and arson in broad daylight under its own nose, asked Singsit while adding that the whole pogrom initiated by the state leadership needs no further introduction and elaboration.

"If the Union Home Ministry is sincere in its appeal for normalcy then it must immediately declare all Valley districts as 'Disturbed Areas' under AFSPA failing which it will be considered as inaction from the Union Home Ministry to provide Leeway for the "Wiping out Campaign" initiated by the State Autocratic leadership and we will be left with no choice but to retaliate in full scale and might", he added.