Manipur: Three Kuki Villagers Shot Dead, Seven Homes Torched in Kangpokpi

New Delhi: Three Kuki villagers, including a woman, were killed and seven houses set on fire in Loibol Khullen village in Kangpokpi's Saitu-Gamphazol subdivision, Manipur in the early hours of Friday.

The victims were identified as Letkhongam Haokip, his wife Tinmary Haokip, and Jangminlal Haokip, The New Indian Express reported.

Kuki apex body the Kuki Inpi Manipur (KIM) alleged that armed cadres of the National Socialist Council of Nagalim (NSCN-IM) carried out the raid along with the Zeliangrong United Front, a group KIM described as the NSCN-IM's proxy outfit.

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"This reprehensible act of violence has resulted in the tragic killing of three innocent civilians and the destruction of homes and livelihoods," KIM said in a statement.

There was, KIM mentioned, no justification under any circumstances for deliberately targeting civilians and burning homes.

The organisation demanded swift action from the Union government and security agencies and requested them to initiate an investigation and arrest those responsible for the act. It also called for beefing up security in vulnerable villages to prevent further attack on civilians.

Despite repeated assurances from both the Union and state governments that displaced families would be rehabilitated and resettled, thousands of people continue to live in relief camps and fresh spate of violence has intensified tensions, nearly three years after the conflict began in the state.