Gunmen have launched a deadly attack in the Senapati district of Manipur, claiming the lives of two Naga civilians and leaving two others wounded. The assault, which took place in a village within the Naga-dominated region, has sparked widespread anger and immediate condemnation from top political figures in the state, including Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh, who slammed the act as cowardly.
Details of the Senapati Incident
The violent incident occurred around 3 pm on Saturday at Kalajan village, situated in the Naga-majority district of Senapati. Initially, local officials had misidentified the location of the attack as Kalenjang village, which is located in the neighboring Kangpokpi district. The victims who lost their lives have been identified as Rocky Mao and Kumar Poumai. Following the incident, their bodies were moved to the Senapati District Hospital for post-mortem examinations.
The two injured individuals have been identified as 33-year-old Adani Manio and 49-year-old Ashiho Sani. Both survivors were quickly transported to a private hospital in Senapati, where they are currently undergoing medical treatment for their injuries.
Outrage and Calls for Accountability
Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh used the social media platform Facebook to express his shock and grief. He strongly criticized the violence, calling it a cowardly act of violence against innocent lives. He offered his deep sympathies to the grieving families and wished the injured survivors a quick and complete recovery.
Former Chief Minister N. Biren Singh also voiced his grave concerns over the continuous cycle of unrest in the state. Posting on the social media platform X, he shared specific details about the deceased, stating that Rocky hailed from Chaowainamai village while Kumar belonged to Laii Shirafii village, both situated in Senapati district. N. Biren Singh claimed that armed militants entered their residence and shot them while they were asleep. Expressing deep frustration over the current security scenario, he wrote, "More than 60 deaths since early this year, and the cycle of violence continues unchecked." He emphasized the urgent need to hold the perpetrators accountable and to restore law and order in the region.
Parallel Tragedy in Kamjong District
The tragedy in Senapati comes on the heels of another deadly ambush in Kamjong district just two days prior, where four members of the Tangkhul Naga community were killed. The bodies of these victims, identified as Betterson Jajo, Vareishim Jajo, his son Phami Jajo, and Ningthem Kashak, were recovered on Friday. Police officers and local search parties located the bullet-riddled bodies in an isolated area near Pilong village, close to the international border with Myanmar. The site is located approximately 34 kilometers away from the Kamjong district headquarters.
Local reports indicate that the incident occurred on Thursday, September 24, when suspected Myanmar-based militants crossed the border and ambushed a group of five local residents. One of the villagers managed to break free from the attackers, alerting the local community and law enforcement agencies about the ambush, which prompted the search operation.
Rising Death Toll in September
The state has witnessed a sharp increase in armed conflict over the past month. Throughout September, at least 13 people have been killed in targeted shooting incidents across several districts, including Tamenglong, Kangpokpi, Noney, and Kamjong. This rising wave of violence has heightened anxiety among local communities as regional leaders demand decisive action to curb the unrest and protect innocent lives.
