Tamenglong: 46-Saikul AC MLA Kimneo Hangshing has strongly and unequivocally condemned the cold-blooded and barbaric killing of three innocent civilians at Leisangphai Village, Tamenglong today.
The victims have been identified as Miss Kimjalhai Singson, a recent nursing graduate, Pi Phalneichong Sithou, and one more man, who was also killed in the same attack.
In a condemnation note issued from her office at Sanjenthong, Imphal, the MLA said if the alleged involvement of armed cadres of NSCN-IM and its proxy ZUF-K is established through investigation, it represents a grave and heinous assault on innocent civilian lives.
She stated that the killing of an innocent young woman who had just completed her nursing education along with another woman and a man is an act of sheer brutality that cannot be justified by any political cause, ideology or grievance.
Hangshing pointed out that this bloodshed comes barely after the recent killings of innocent civilians in Tamenglong and adjoining areas, where civil society organisations had similarly alleged the involvement of NSCN-IM and ZUF-K cadres.
“The recurrence of such incidents raises an extremely serious question: How many more innocent lives must be lost before decisive preventive and security measures are taken?” she questioned.
She demanded that security of vulnerable civilian populations be immediately strengthened and said the continued vulnerability of innocent villagers to armed violence cannot be permitted to persist with impunity.
Appealing for peace, she urged all responsible citizens and community leaders to exercise restraint and reject any attempt to exploit this tragedy to provoke further violence or hatred against innocent people.
“Restraint must never be mistaken for weakness, and condolences must never substitute justice. The killing of innocent civilians is not a political statement. It is a crime,” Hangshing said.
