Two Kuki women were allegedly killed at Leisangphai Kuki village in Manipur’s Tamenglong district on Tuesday, according to a statement issued by Saikul MLA Kimneo Hangshing.
The deceased were identified as Kimjalhai Singson, a recent nursing graduate, and Phalneichong Sitlhou, the statement said.
According to the MLA, the two women were reportedly carrying out routine agricultural activities when they were killed. Their activities included gathering firewood and collecting paddy.
Hangshing condemned what she described as the “cold-blooded and barbaric killing” of the two women and called for stronger security measures to protect vulnerable civilian populations.
The MLA further said that the alleged involvement of armed cadres of NSCN-IM and its proxy ZUF-K, if established through an investigation, would constitute a serious assault on innocent civilian lives.
She appealed to citizens and community leaders to exercise restraint and reject attempts to use the killings to fuel further violence or hatred against innocent people.
“Outrage must be directed against the perpetrators of violence—not against an entire community,” Hangshing said in her statement.
The MLA also called for justice, stating that the killing of innocent women “is not a political statement” but a crime.
The latest incident comes days after Kuki civil society organisations condemned the reported killings of four Kuki civilians in Tollen and Longpi villages in Tamenglong and called for stronger protection of civilians and an impartial investigation.
The allegations surrounding Tuesday’s killings are subject to investigation.
