Imphal: Naga civil organisations have demanded an independent probe, arrests of those responsible and stronger security measures following an ambush on the Imphal-Tamenglong Road in Manipur that killed five Naga civilians on August 27.
In a joint statement, the United Naga Council (UNC), Makui Village Authority and Chandel Naga People’s Organisation (CNPO) urged the Manipur government and central law enforcement agencies to constitute a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to establish the circumstances of the attack and identify those responsible.
The organisations also demanded the prompt arrest of the perpetrators and commanders allegedly involved in the attack, besides stronger security measures to protect Naga civilians travelling through Kangpokpi district.
The UNC described the incident as a “complete security failure”, alleging that heavily armed militants were able to target civilians travelling along the road.
The apex Naga body alleged that the attack was a calculated escalation by Kuki groups aimed at drawing the Naga community into the ongoing ethnic conflict. It also described the incident as a challenge to the Indo-Naga peace process and the existence of the Naga people on their ancestral lands.
Naga organisations and villagers alleged that Kuki militant factions operating under the Suspension of Operations (SoO) pact were involved in the ambush.
The statement named cadres of the Kuki National Front (KNF), KNF-P and Kuki Revolutionary Army (KRA), and alleged that they were operating under the command of Jangboi Kipgen, Home Secretary of the KNF/UPF umbrella coalition.
The organisations called for immediate action by the authorities to prevent further attacks on Naga civilians using the road.