A pre-dawn armed attack on a family at Tollen village under Kaimai Police Station in Tamenglong district today left a woman dead and her husband and son seriously injured, sending shockwaves through the area and raising fresh fears of attempts to disturb the fragile peace between communities.
The attack took place at around 5.30 am when unidentified armed miscreants reportedly opened fire on the family. The deceased was identified as Lhingzangai, while her husband, Seineh Singshit, and their son sustained bullet injuries.
The identity of the attackers and their motive remain unknown. Police have so far been unable to establish who was behind the attack, and no local armed group has claimed responsibility.
The fact that the assailants remain unidentified has added to the anxiety in the area, particularly given the history of conflict and communal tensions in parts of Tamenglong. Authorities have deployed additional security forces in the area as a precautionary measure.
The Kaimai Village Authority condemned the killing in strong terms, warning that the attack appeared designed to create suspicion, mistrust and division among communities that have lived together peacefully in the region.
The Village Authority said vested interests could be attempting to exploit the sensitive environment to drive a wedge between communities, and appealed to people not to allow the actions of unidentified miscreants to destroy longstanding bonds of coexistence.
It demanded a thorough and impartial investigation to identify the perpetrators and bring them to justice without delay. It also appealed to both communities to exercise restraint and not allow rumours, provocation or unverified allegations to trigger further tension.
Community leaders, elders and civil society organisations were urged to intervene proactively and reaffirm the bonds of peace and understanding between the communities.
The Kuki Youth Organisation (KYO) Women’s Council also condemned the attack, expressing particular concern over the killing of a woman and the shooting of her husband and son.
The Council pointed out that the attack occurred on September 13, observed by the Kuki community as “Black Day” in remembrance of those killed and the suffering endured during the Naga-Kuki violence of the 1990s.
It demanded an immediate, impartial and thorough investigation, identification and prosecution of the perpetrators on the basis of credible evidence and due process, and stronger intelligence and preventive security measures to protect vulnerable civilians.
The Council also called for effective protection of women, children and other vulnerable persons, besides transparent accountability in cases involving the killing or injury of innocent civilians.