Daijiworld Media Network - Imphal
Imphal, Oct 31: Three Kuki-Zo village volunteers were killed in a fierce gun battle between two armed groups in Manipur’s Noney district, a police official said on Saturday.
The Kuki Inpi Manipur (KIM), a prominent Kuki tribal organisation, however, alleged that the three volunteers were brutally killed and strongly condemned the incident.
The police official said further details of the incident were being collected.
In a statement, KIM expressed outrage and profound grief over the killings, alleging that cadres of the National Socialist Council of Nagalim (Isak-Muivah) (NSCN-IM) and the Zeliangrong United Front (Kamson faction) (ZUF-K) were responsible.
Describing the incident as an assault on the lives and security of the Kuki-Zo community, the organisation accused the authorities of failing to provide adequate security to vulnerable Kuki-Zo settlements in Noney district.
KIM Secretary for Information and Publicity Janghaolun Haokip said the deaths of the three village volunteers were a consequence of the alleged failure of state authorities to ensure the safety of Kuki-Zo communities, despite repeated warnings about potential threats.
He claimed that the lack of adequate security had compelled local residents to volunteer to protect their homes and communities against armed threats.
The organisation further alleged that the perpetrators had desecrated the bodies of the deceased by kicking them and mocking the victims after the killings. It strongly condemned the alleged acts, describing them as inhuman and unacceptable.
KIM also accused the authorities of negligence, alleging that their continued failure to prevent armed activities had left Kuki-Zo settlements in Noney district and other areas vulnerable to violence.
The organisation further alleged that the state government's handling of the activities of NSCN-IM had contributed to insecurity in the region.
Holding the government responsible for ensuring the safety of citizens, KIM demanded justice for the victims, accountability and immediate stringent action against those responsible.
Police said further details of the incident were being ascertained.