The situation in Manipur’s Kangpokpi district and Noney district remained tense but calm on Thursday after two separate militant attacks claimed four lives and injured four others.
Police said no fresh incidents had been reported since Wednesday night, though security forces remained on high alert in the two hill districts and adjoining areas.
The family members of Wilson Thanga, who was killed in the Joujangtek ambush in Noney district, along with the Chiru Union, announced that they would not claim the body until the government assures action on their demands, including the arrest of those responsible.
Wilson Thanga, a member of the Chiru Naga community from Dolang village, was killed on May 13 at around 6:30 pm when suspected armed militants allegedly ambushed a vehicle near Joujangtek village. His wife and the driver of the vehicle were also injured while they were returning home from Imphal.
His body was kept at the mortuary of Jawaharlal Nehru Institute of Medical Sciences on Thursday.
Several leaders, including Govindas Konthoujam, Awangbow Newmai, Dinganglung Gangmei, SS Olish, Kashim Vashum and Janghemlung Panmei, visited the mortuary and expressed condolences.
Daniel said the deceased was an innocent civilian and the sole breadwinner of his family. He said the union and the victim’s family would submit demands seeking immediate arrest of the perpetrators, compensation for the family and a suitable government job for a family member.
He stated that the body would not be claimed until they receive assurance or reach an understanding with the government.
Meanwhile, Home Minister Govindas Konthoujam said that more than 38 people from the Naga and Kuki communities were being held hostage by different groups across the state.
He said the government was working with civil society organisations and political leaders to secure their release. He added that the Ministry of Home Affairs had been informed and efforts were underway. He also said some people did not want peace to return to Manipur.
Normal life was severely affected after Kuki Inpi Manipur called a three-day shutdown across Kuki-Zo inhabited areas over the killing of three Baptist Church leaders in Kangpokpi. Naga organisations also held separate protests.
Markets remained closed and transport services were disrupted in Churachandpur district, Chandel district and Kangpokpi, while educational institutions reported low attendance.
Police said unidentified gunmen ambushed two vehicles along Tiger Road in Kangpokpi on Wednesday morning, killing three members of the Kuki community and injuring four others. Kuki Students’ Organisation said all the victims were Baptist Church leaders.
Hours later, another ambush took place near Joujangtek Forest Gate in Noney district where one person was killed.
Meanwhile, security forces arrested seven militants during joint operations in Imphal West district and Imphal East district.
Among those arrested was the self-styled founder chairman of the Kangleipak Communist Party, Laishram Ranjit Singh. Police also arrested Hidangmayum Benerjit Sharma, an alleged cadre of the United National Liberation Front.
Authorities said intelligence-based combing, cordon and search operations were continuing across several districts to curb kidnapping, extortion and other unlawful activities.
