8 hrs ago
Four Killed, Child Injured in Manipur Kuki Black Day Attacks
Four people were killed in two attacks in Manipur on September 13.
A six-year-old boy was also badly injured.
In the first attack, gunmen shot a family in L. Tollen village.
The boy’s mother died at the scene, and his father died while being taken to a hospital.
Later, a man and a woman were killed in Longpi village.
The Kuki-Zo community observes September 13 as a day to remember people killed in fighting during the 1990s.
Some groups blamed Naga militant organizations, but this has not been proven and nobody has claimed responsibility.
Police and village organizations are asking for investigations and peace.
Four Kuki-Zo community members, including a couple, were killed in two attacks on September 13.
A six-year-old boy was seriously injured when gunmen attacked his family in L. Tollen village.
Two people were killed later in Longpi village while reportedly attending to household needs.
Village groups alleged involvement by NSCN-IM and the Zeliangrong United Front-Kamson, but no group has claimed responsibility and the allegations remain unverified.
Police began an investigation as community organizations called for security, impartial inquiries, calm and protection for civilians.
- Who
- Four Kuki-Zo community members were killed, a six-year-old boy was injured, and unidentified gunmen are suspected; police and community organizations responded.
- What
- Two separate attacks killed a couple and two other people and injured the couple’s six-year-old son.
- Where
- The attacks occurred in L. Tollen village in Tamenglong district and Longpi village, reported by one source as being in Noney district near Tamenglong.
- When
- The attacks occurred hours apart on Sunday, September 13; the year was not specified.
- Why
- The motive has not been established. The attacks occurred amid tensions between Kuki-Zo and Naga communities and on the Kuki-Zo community’s Sahnit Ni, or Black Day.
Community allegations and demands
Official investigation and unverified claims
Responsibility for the attacks
Community allegations and demands
The Western Village Volunteers and L. Tollen Village Authority alleged that NSCN-IM and the Zeliangrong United Front-Kamson were responsible, describing the violence as an attack on Kuki-Zo villagers.
Official investigation and unverified claims
Police have not established who carried out the attacks. Neither named group has claimed responsibility, and the allegations have not been independently verified.
Security response
Community allegations and demands
Kuki-Zo organizations demanded additional protection, arrests, an independent investigation and, in one account, referral of the case to the National Investigation Agency. The Kuki Inpi Jiri, Tamenglong and Noney announced a 24-hour economic blockade and threatened a broader shutdown.
Official investigation and unverified claims
Police launched an investigation and additional forces were deployed. The Kaimai Village Authority urged Kuki and Naga communities to avoid rumors and provocative messages and preserve communal harmony.
Historical context
Community allegations and demands
Kuki-Zo organizations commemorate September 13 as Sahnit Ni or Kuki Black Day and say many Kuki-Zos were killed in the Kuki-Naga conflict of the 1990s.
Official investigation and unverified claims
The conflict also caused Naga deaths, and the broader history involves competing territorial claims between the two communities; the articles present differing community narratives about responsibility.
Key facts
- Deaths
- Four Kuki-Zo community members, including Lhingzangai Singsit and Seineh Singsit, were killed.
- Injury
- The couple’s six-year-old son was seriously injured and taken to Silchar in Assam for treatment.
- First attack
- The attack in L. Tollen occurred at about 5:30 a.m.; the father died while being transported to hospital.
- Second attack
- A man and a woman were killed in Longpi village later that day while reportedly attending to household needs.
- Responsibility
- The Western Village Volunteers and the L. Tollen Village Authority alleged NSCN-IM and ZUF-K involvement; the claims were not independently verified.
- Investigation
- Police opened an inquiry, and additional forces were deployed; reports said a police team would visit Longpi.
- Community demands
- Village and community groups called for security, arrests, an impartial investigation and measures to prevent rumors and communal tension.
Quotes
Kaimai Village Authority
Village body that condemned the Tollen attack and appealed for calm
“We, the people of Kaimai Naga village, stand firmly for peace, unity and communal harmony.”
wionews.com
