Imphal, Aug 27 — Manipur Home Minister Konthoujam Govindas Singh on Thursday firmly announced that those responsible for killing four Naga community members in Kangpokpi district would face the full force of the law, and warned that anyone attempting to obstruct or derail the peace process would not be spared.
At least four members of the Liangmai Naga community, including the Principal of a private school, were killed and another person injured in the ambush by armed militants in Kangpokpi.
Strongly condemning the attack, the Home Minister, in a statement, said that the senseless violence has caused deep anguish among the Naga community and peace-loving people of Manipur and strikes at the collective efforts to restore peace and normalcy in the violence-hit state.
"Those responsible will face the full force of law. Anyone attempting to obstruct or derail the peace process will not be spared," he said.
The Home Minister expressed his deep anguish over the tragic attack on innocent Naga civilians along the IT Road in Kangpokpi.
"My heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families. I pray for the speedy recovery of the injured," he said in the statement.
Konthoujam Singh urged all community leaders, civil society organisations and his Naga brothers and sisters to maintain peace and exercise restraint in the wake of the tragic incident.
"Justice will be pursued firmly, while peace and unity must prevail. May the departed souls rest in eternal peace," he stated.
Meanwhile, soon after the incident in the hilly district, Central and state security forces launched a massive combing operation to nab the suspected militants responsible for the killings.
Kangpokpi is predominantly inhabited by the Kuki-Zo community, though members of the Naga community also live in different parts of the trouble-torn district.
Different Naga organisations, including the United Naga Council (UNC), the apex body of the Naga people in Manipur, claimed that two to three armed Kuki militants attacked innocent Naga civilians between Makui Ashang and Thanamba Naga, an area that serves as a vital lifeline for Naga communities living along the IT Road.
The Naga organisations strongly condemned the attack and demanded immediate action against those responsible for the killings, describing the incident as a serious threat to peace and communal harmony in the region.
The victims were identified as Wisobou Charenamai, Tadsongbou Ringkangmai, Mariakdibou Wijunamai, and Anil Wijunamai. Ringkangmai was the founder and Principal of Right Path School, a private educational institution, while Charenamai was the Chairman of the Chawangkining Village Authority and a former Vice-President of a local organisation.
The incident has triggered widespread concern among various Naga organisations, while the security forces intensified their search and combing operations in and around the area to trace and apprehend those involved in the deadly ambush.