Joujangtek victim’s family demands justice; Refuse to claim body

Family members of Wilson Thanga, who was killed in the Joujangtek ambush in Noney district, along with the Chiru Union, today announced that they would not claim the body until the Manipur government assured action against those responsible for the attack.
Wilson Thanga, a resident of Dolang village and a member of the Chiru Naga community, was killed while his wife and the driver sustained injuries after suspected armed militants allegedly opened fire on their vehicle near Joujangtek village on May 13 around 6:30 pm while they were returning from Imphal.
The body was kept at the mortuary of Jawaharlal Nehru Institute of Medical Sciences (JNIMS) on Thursday.
Manipur Home Minister Konthoujam Govindas and several Naga MLAs, including Awangbow Newmai, Dinganglung Gangmei, S.S. Olish, Kashim Vashum and Janghemlung Panmei, visited the mortuary and expressed condolences to the bereaved family.
Chiru Union general secretary Daniel termed the attack “highly condemnable” and said the deceased was an innocent civilian and the sole breadwinner of his family.
He said the union and the family would submit demands to the government, including immediate arrest of the perpetrators, compensation and a government job for a family member.
“Until we receive assurance or reach an understanding with the government, the body will not be claimed,” he said.
MLA Awangbow Newmai condemned the attack and assured that efforts would be made to identify and arrest those involved. He also appealed to church leaders and civil society organisations to unite against violence and unlawful activities in the state.