Imphal: The Committee on Protection of Tribal Areas Manipur-Kuki Hills (COPTAM-KH) condemned the killing of a civilian, injuries to five others and the burning of several houses in an attack on Chassad village in Manipur’s Kamjong district on Saturday.
The committee identified the deceased as Seikhohao Haokip. The five people critically injured in the attack were Chassad Chief Thangjahao Haokip, Phungtha Kachouphung Kuki Chief Seipao Haokip, and Chassad Village Authority members Khailun Haokip, Thanggin Touthang and Seikhohao.
The committee expressed condolences to the deceased’s family and solidarity with residents affected by the attack. It said the incident raised questions about the effectiveness of preventive security in remote tribal areas.
COPTAM-KH also questioned the response of state security personnel. It asked how the attackers had entered the area and set fire to homes despite the presence of security forces nearby.
The committee called for an impartial review of the deployment of the Indian Reserve Battalion (IRB) in Kamjong district and the removal of any personnel whose impartiality was in doubt.
The committee also accused Kamjong Superintendent of Police Tholu Rocky of dereliction of duty and a delayed response, and raised allegations of possible assistance to the attackers.
It said the allegations required independent verification through deployment logs and communication records.
The committee demanded the police chief’s immediate transfer to prevent possible interference in the investigation and maintain public trust.
COPTAM-K appealed to the Union Ministry of Home Affairs and the Manipur government to act on an eight-point charter of demands.
These included deploying neutral Central Security Forces to protect vulnerable Kuki villages from further arson and forced displacement, conducting a time-bound investigation into the killing and arson, providing immediate medical assistance to the injured, and paying compensation to affected families.
The committee said accountability and impartial security arrangements were necessary to restore peace and public confidence.