Two Naga civilians were allegedly shot dead by suspected militants in the Kalenjang area of Manipur’s Senapati district on Saturday afternoon, September 26, according to sources.
The bodies of the two men were reportedly found near Taphou Naga village, with blood stains seen at the spot. Local sources said the victims belonged to the Mao Naga community. Their identities have not yet been officially confirmed.
The incident was reported a day after four Tangkhul Naga civilians were allegedly killed at Pilong in neighbouring Kamjong district, near the India-Myanmar border. Police had said suspected militants based in Myanmar were behind the attack.
The latest incident came on the same day the United Naga Council (UNC) suspended its economic blockade following the Pilong killings. The UNC had imposed the blockade while demanding justice and accountability over the killings of Naga civilians.
Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh was in the Mao area on Saturday and attended the silver jubilee celebrations of Don Bosco College (Autonomous), Maram. The event was held under the theme “Heritage to Horizons”.
The reported killings have also raised fresh concerns among Naga civil society organisations over the security situation in the state. A UNC-led team of Naga civil society organisations was scheduled to take part in a tripartite meeting with representatives of the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Manipur government in Assam on Saturday.
The meeting was aimed at discussing the prevailing law-and-order situation and possible peace-building measures.
There was no immediate official statement from the Manipur government or police regarding the reported killings in Senapati.
Further details are awaited.