Village chief, nephew killed in Kangpokpi
Source: The Sangai Express

Kangpokpi, July 10 2019: Unidentified gunmen killed Hengjang Kuki village chief and his nephew today at around 12.30 pm while they were reportedly travelling in a private vehicle.

The incident occurred between Keihao and Hengjang village under Island Block in Kangpokpi district around 20/25 Km away from Island Sub Divisional Headquarters.

The deceased Kuki chief is identified as Thangneo Kipgen (58) and his nephew as Thangminlun Haokip (26), s/o Thenthang Haokip.

According to a survival, the assailants were six in number and they spoke Kuki dialect and possessed AK rifles and M-16 weapons.

He said that they shot from a very close range and right after the firing they came down and enquired about me and the duo killed in the firing.

"As I told them I am from Bongbal Kholen and the duo are chief of Hengjang and his nephew, they immediately fled," he said while adding that he could not identify anyone of them.

Various civil society organisations have come out to strongly condemn the killings.

Strongly condemning the killings, Kuki Inpi, Kangpokpi district served a 24 hour deadline to the State Government to book the culprits.

It asked the State Government to arrest the culprits within the stipulated time before the situation turns intense.

It also warned that if the culprits are not booked within the stipulated time, public agitation will be launched under the aegis of Kuki Inpi and the State Government shall be solely responsible for any untoward incident.

KSO Sadar Hills and TSA Sadar Hills have also condemned the incident in the strongest term.

The KSO Sadar Hills said that such heinous act towards civilians is highly condemnable while adding that everything can be solved through dialogue but such anti social activities only invite disturbance in society.

It also appealed the assailants to spell out the reason for the crime at the earliest.

TSA Sadar Hills also condemned the incident and said that such act towards innocent civilians is a barbaric act and sought justice.

Local MDC of Bongbal Kholen District Council Constituency, Thangjamang Kipgen, who is also the president of BJP Sadar Hills district also strongly condemned the killing of Thangneo Kipgen and Thangminlun Haokip.

"I strongly condemn the barbaric act and appeal to all peace loving citizens of the State and Bongbalkholen area in particular to refrain from such criminal activities in future", the local MDC said.

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