Two Naga civilians, Maliangjinang Abonmai, 52, and Namthiulungbou Prinmai, 50, were airlifted from the Houchong helipad in Noney district to the Regional Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS) Hospital in Imphal for advanced medical treatment on Friday evening. The individuals were injured in an alleged gun attack in Kangpokpi district.
The airlift was facilitated by the Army. Unfortunately, another injured person, Kawidinang Abonmai, 55, succumbed to his injuries while being transported to the hospital. Wiriliangbou Chawang, 34, died at the scene after sustaining gunshot wounds to the head.
According to sources, the attack occurred at Langka Naga village at around 7:30 am and was allegedly carried out by suspected Kuki armed groups. N Akhiu, convenor of the Foothills Naga Coordinating Committee (FNCC), stated that the attack was carried out by around 50 to 60 fully armed cadres of the KNF (P) at Langka Liangmai village.
Akhiu questioned the apparent security lapses, pointing out that an Army outpost is located between Langka and Makui villages, which are approximately 7.5 km apart. He asked how such a large number of armed cadres could move through the area without being detected by security forces.
Akhiu expressed concern that continued violence could push Manipur towards civil war, and strongly condemned the incident. He also asked the state government and the Government of India to take responsibility for the unrest.
The Liangmai Naga Council, Manipur (LNC-M), has declared a total emergency shutdown across all Liangmai Naga-inhabited areas of Manipur until further notice, exempting emergency and essential services.
