New Delhi: Four Naga civilians were shot dead by unidentified gunmen in strife-torn Manipur on Thursday (August 27) morning, with the United Naga Council (UNC) blaming Kuki armed groups for the attack, for which no outfit has claimed responsibility, reported The Hindu.

The UNC condemned the attack and termed it “barbaric and calculated”. It the incident a “direct challenge to peace, the Indo-Naga peace process, and to the very existence of Nagas in our ancestral lands”. It appealed to the Nagas to remain vigilant and stand united against “such external threats.”

Manipur chief minister Yumnan Khemchand Singh and home minister Govindas Konthoujam condemned the attack, terming it “senseless violence” and said it “strikes at our collective efforts to restore peace and normalcy”.

The UNC identified the deceased as Tadsongbou Ringkangmai, Mariakdibou Wijunamai, Anil Wijunamai, and Wisobou Charenamai. The apex Naga body added that another person, Gaikamang Ringkangmai, was injured in the attack, while one Japou M.K. was missing.

The attack took place between Makui Ashang and Thanamba Naga villages in Manipur’s Kangpokpi district.

The UNC accused the Kuki National Front (KNF), KNF (Presidential) and Kuki Revolutionary Army of carrying out the attack.

These groups had signed the Suspension of Operation agreement with the Union government in 2008.

The UNC termed the incident as “complete security failure” and demanded that a special investigation team (SIT) be formed.

After the incident, people in Senapati district observed a shutdown, while the UNC announced a one-day ‘genna’, which is a period of strict prohibition, rest, and community worship, across Manipur’s Naga-inhabited areas on Friday (August 28) to pay homage to the victims.

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