Kamjong: Four Tangkhul Naga villagers who were allegedly killed by Myanmar-based Kuki armed groups at Pilong village along the India-Myanmar border were laid to rest in their respective native villages in Manipur’s Kamjong district on Friday.
A solemn public condolence service was organised by the Tangkhul Naga Long (TNL) at the Town Hall in Kamjong district headquarters before the mortal remains were taken to their native villages for burial.
Phungyar MLA Leishiyo Keishing, Kamjong deputy commissioner, TNL president Sword Vashum, Tangkhul community leaders and well-wishers attended the condolence service to extend solidarity to the bereaved families.
The four civilians killed in the attack on Thursday were Vareishim Jajo of Kangpat Khullen; his son, Phami Jajo; Betterson Jajo of Kangpat Khunou; and Ningthem Kashak of Zingsui village.
Speaking to EastMojo on the sidelines of the condolence service, Akhan Kaping, 58, who said he was the lone survivor of the attack, claimed that the assault was carried out by the Myanmar-based Kuki National Army-Burma (KNA-B).
Recounting the incident, Kaping said he was resting some distance from the house where the four victims were staying when he suddenly heard gunfire.
“After hiding for an hour, I came out to look for them and saw two of the kids dead on the ground. I was confused about what to do and where to go. Still, I ran away from the place and contacted other villagers,” Kaping said.
Kaping further claimed that acquaintances from the Kuki community told him that members of the KNA-B were behind the attack.
“There is no denial that KNA-B attacked us,” he said.
According to Kaping, although he did not see the attackers clearly, the voices he heard suggested that there were at least 15 of them.
Phungyar MLA Leishiyo Keishing said armed groups from across the border in Myanmar entered Pilong on Thursday afternoon at around 1.30 pm and attacked villagers, killing four unarmed civilians, including church and youth leaders.
Keishing said villagers had continued to remain in their village despite threats and attacks along the India-Myanmar border.
He said he had urged the state and central governments to strengthen security along the international border and improve security measures in the area.
Strongly condemning the killings, the NPF legislator said such incidents should not be repeated.
In a heart-wrenching moment, the father and son from Kamjong’s Kangpat Khullen village were finally laid to rest at their native village on Saturday morning.
The funeral service was attended by local MLA Leishiyo Keishing, family members, villagers from neighbouring area and well-wishers and extended their heartfelt solidarity to the bereaved family.
Vareishim Jajo, 65, and his son, Phami Jajo, were among the four civilians killed in a sudden and unprovoked attack at Pilong on September 24. The other two civilians killed were Betterson Jajo of Kangpat Khunou and Ningthem Kashak of Zingsui village.
According to Rockson Chodang, pastor of Pilong Baptist Church, Vareishim served as a choir master and accountant of Pilong Baptist Church, while Betterson Jajo served as the Church’s clerk.
Betterson and Ningthem were also laid to rest at their respective native places.
After attending the last rites, local MLA Keishing and his team is scheduled to visit Pilong to oversee the ground reality and the security measures in the border areas.
Meanwhile, Manipur Chief Minister Y Khemchand Singh condemned the killing of the four Tangkhul civilians.
“Such acts of violence have no place in our society and will not be tolerated,” Singh said.
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He also conveyed his deepest condolences to the bereaved families and prayed for strength and comfort for them during the period of grief.
Following the killings at Pilong, the TNL, the apex body of the Tangkhul community, announced a 24-hour total shutdown across Tangkhul areas.
The shutdown resulted in hundreds of vehicles, including loaded trucks, being stranded at Ramva village along National Highway 202.
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