Imphal: The Kuki Inpi Manipur (KIM) has condemned the killing of Hatneikim Haokip in an alleged ambush between Molnoi and Phaikoh in Manipur’s Kamjong district and called on the state and Central governments to take action against those responsible.
According to KIM, four civilians, travelling as two couples on two two-wheelers, were attacked between 4 pm and 5 pm. Hatneikim Haokip died at the spot, while her husband, Jangkhongam Haokip, escaped despite sustaining bullet injuries.
The whereabouts of the other two travellers, D. Paokhothang Haokip and his wife, Boishi Haokip, from Chassad village, remain unknown, the organisation said.
KIM accused the NSCN (IM) of carrying out the attack and alleged that the group had repeatedly targeted unarmed civilians. The organisation described Hatneikim’s killing as an attack on an innocent woman and condemned the violence against civilians.
The organisation also held the state and Central governments responsible for what it described as a failure to maintain law and order in the region.
“The government’s continued silence and lack of decisive action make it complicit in every innocent life lost,” KIM said in its statement.
The organisation demanded an immediate operation to identify and arrest those involved in the killing and trace the two missing civilians. It said assurances from the authorities were not enough and called for concrete action against armed groups operating in the area.
KIM also offered condolences to Hatneikim’s family and expressed solidarity with them.
It warned that if the government failed to take immediate steps to punish those responsible, locate the missing civilians and protect residents, the administration would be responsible for any resulting public unrest or escalation.