Imphal, October 31 (IANS): The Kuki Inpi Manipur (KIM), a prominent Kuki tribal organisation, on Saturday alleged that three Kuki-Zo village volunteers were brutally killed in Manipur's Noney district, triggering strong condemnation from the organisation.
A police official, however, said that the three persons were killed during a fierce gun battle between two armed groups.
Further details of the incident were being collected, the official added.
In a statement, KIM expressed outrage and profound grief over the killings, alleging that cadres of the National Socialist Council of Nagalim (Isak-Muivah) (NSCN-IM) and Zeliangrong United Front (Kamson faction) (ZUF-K) were responsible for the deaths.
Describing the incident as an assault on the lives and security of the Kuki-Zo community, the organisation accused the authorities of failing to provide adequate security to vulnerable Kuki-Zo settlements in Noney district.
KIM Secretary for Information and Publicity, Janghaolun Haokip, said the killing of the three village volunteers was a consequence of the alleged failure of the state authorities to ensure the safety of Kuki-Zo communities despite repeated warnings about potential threats.
He claimed that the absence of adequate security had compelled local residents to volunteer to protect their homes and communities against armed threats.
The organisation also alleged that the perpetrators had desecrated the bodies of the deceased by kicking them and mocking the victims after the killings.
It strongly condemned the alleged acts, describing them as inhuman and unacceptable.
KIM also accused the authorities of negligence, alleging that the continued failure to prevent armed activities had left Kuki-Zo settlements in Noney district and other areas vulnerable to violence.
The organisation alleged that the state government's handling of the activities of NSCN-IM had contributed to insecurity in the region.
Holding the government responsible for ensuring the safety of citizens, KIM demanded justice for the victims, accountability and immediate stringent action against those responsible for the killings.
Police said further details of the incident were being ascertained.
