Senapati (Manipur), 26 September (HS): Two Naga civilians were allegedly shot dead by suspected militants in the Kalenjang area of Manipur’s Senapati district on Saturday afternoon, according to sources.

The bodies were reportedly recovered near Taphou Naga village, where blood stains were also found. Local sources said the deceased belonged to the Mao Naga community. Their identities, however, have not been officially confirmed.

The reported killings came a day after four Tangkhul Naga civilians were allegedly killed at Pilong in neighbouring Kamjong district, near the India-Myanmar border. Police had attributed that attack to suspected militants operating from Myanmar.

The latest incident was reported on the day the United Naga Council (UNC) called off its economic blockade, which had been imposed in protest against the killing of Naga civilians and to press for justice and accountability.

Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh was in the Mao area on Saturday, where he attended the silver jubilee celebrations of Don Bosco College (Autonomous), Maram, held under the theme “Heritage to Horizons”.

The fresh killings have further heightened concerns among Naga civil society organisations over the security situation in Manipur. A UNC-led delegation of Naga civil society organisations was scheduled to attend a tripartite meeting with the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Manipur government in Assam on Saturday to deliberate on the prevailing law-and-order situation and measures for peace-building.

There was no immediate official confirmation from the Manipur government or police regarding the reported killings in Senapati.

Further details are awaited.-------------

Hindusthan Samachar / Sriprakash