The North East Dialogue Forum (NEDF) has demanded independent and impartial investigations into the killing of three civilians near Nungsham and Kongbal Tangkhul villages and the October 18 violence at Kangabok, while calling for a review of the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA) and greater accountability of security agencies.
In a statement, Mukul Phukon, Assam, member of NEDF, urged Security Adviser Kuldeep Singh, National Security Adviser Ajit Kumar Doval and the Inspector General of Assam Rifles (South) to ensure thorough, transparent and accountable investigations into the incidents.
The forum also called on the Government of India to provide assistance to the families of those killed and to the injured, and urged the Manipur government to convene a Cabinet meeting to review the extension of AFSPA with meaningful participation from the public and their representatives. It further called on the Centre to consider repealing the Act across the Northeast.
Condemning the killing of three civilians and injuries to several others in the area between Nungsham and Kongbal Tangkhul, NEDF said the victims had gone to collect firewood for their livelihood. The circumstances of the attack, it said, raised concerns that the victims might have been deliberately targeted following prior reconnaissance.
The forum questioned how such an attack could occur in an area where security forces are deployed and called for an independent investigation to establish the identity, motive and responsibility of those involved. It also raised concerns over possible links to counter-insurgency activities or illegal drug cultivation, stressing that these allegations required impartial verification.
NEDF also condemned the violence at Kangabok on October 18, in which 26-year-old Laishram Rakesh, son of Gopen, was shot dead. Several others were injured, while houses, shops and vehicles were reportedly torched during a sports meet and entertainment programme.
Questioning how firearms and stones were brought into the village and who opened fire on the gathering, the forum stressed that attacks on civilians, including women and children, demanded a thorough investigation and accountability.
Despite the deployment of substantial Central and state security forces, NEDF said civilians continued to face insecurity, raising serious questions about the effectiveness and accountability of the security apparatus.
The forum said those responsible for the killings and other acts of violence must be identified and held accountable, adding that the prolonged cycle of violence in Manipur could not be allowed to continue without transparent investigations and concrete action.