Civilians in Manipur have slammed the Modi government’s inaction after four more people, including a pregnant Kuki woman, were killed in two separate attacks, sparking fresh outrage across the volatile state. Armed militants ambushed three youths transporting rice supplies near Longpi Vengthah in the evening. Two were shot dead on the spot: Ms. Julie Gangte of Sempat village, who was pregnant, and Mr. Thangvel Gangte, also from Sempat village.

Another female companion is reported missing. Earlier in a pre-dawn raid on L. Tollen village, gunmen killed Mr. Sheikhunet (Seineh) Singsit and his wife Mrs. Lhingjangai (Lhingngai) inside their home. A child was reportedly wounded in the attack. The back-to-back killings have taken the civilian death toll to four in 24 hours. Civil society groups have strongly condemned the “coldblooded killing of an expectant mother and the slaughter of parents in their home,” and have called for strict accountability for the perpetrators.

 Local organisations said the attacks reflect a pattern of targeted violence against Kuki civilians and urged the authorities to ensure the safe recovery of the missing woman from Longpi.  The National Socialist Council of Nagaland (Isak-Muivah) [NSCN-IM] and the Zeliangrong United Front (Khamba/Kamson faction) [ZUF-K] are armed Naga organizations active in the northeastern Indian state of Manipur. They demands a sovereign Naga homeland ("Nagalim") encompassing Naga-inhabited areas of Nagaland, Manipur, Assam, and Arunachal Pradesh. 

Credit: Independent News Pakistan (INP)