Biren Singh calls Makui killings ‘barbaric’, urges dialogue among Manipur communities

Former Manipur chief minister N Biren Singh on October 12 condemned the killing of Naga village guards in Makui village in Kangpokpi district as “barbaric” and called for dialogue among communities to end the cycle of violence in the state.

Biren Singh made the remarks while speaking to the media at the mortuary of the Jawaharlal Nehru Institute of Medical Sciences (JNIMS) in Imphal, where the bodies of two slain village guards had been brought late on Sunday night.

The former chief minister visited the hospital to meet the bereaved families and offer his condolences and support.

The deceased were identified as Dibambou Ringkangmai, 48, of Makui village and Ajinbou Ringkangmai, 52. They were among the Naga village guards reportedly killed in an attack by suspected armed Kuki militants at Makui Ashang Naga village on October 10.

Condemning the killings, Biren Singh said no one should resort to violence against civilians, irrespective of their demands or grievances.

“Such killings are barbaric and highly condemnable. Nobody should resort to violence or use force against civilians. If anyone has demands, they should come forward for talks and dialogue,” he said.

‘Strong security and intelligence could have prevented attacks’

Questioning the security arrangements in the state's interior hill areas, Biren Singh said incidents of killing, kidnapping and arson could potentially have been prevented through adequate security deployment and stronger intelligence gathering.

He expressed concern over the continued violence and stressed the need for effective preventive measures to protect civilians and vulnerable settlements.

Appeals for peace, raises NRC issue

Biren Singh also reiterated his appeal to communities to live together peacefully, referring to the proposed National Register of Citizens (NRC) as a possible measure to address concerns over illegal immigration.

“The government has already proposed the NRC, and the Centre has listened to the request. It will surely be implemented soon. Why should we fight among ourselves when the NRC will address the issue of illegal immigrants? Instead of fighting each other, let us try to live together,” he said.

He urged all communities to shun violence and pursue their grievances through dialogue, asserting that peace could be restored only through sustained communication.

Attack on Makui village triggers demands

The remarks come after an attack on Makui Ashang Naga village, located along the Imphal-Tamei road in Kangpokpi district, on the morning of October 10. According to reports, suspected armed militants attacked the village with sophisticated weapons. Three Naga village guards were reported killed.

The deceased were identified as Ajinbou Ringkangmai, 52, and Dibambou Ringkangmai, 48, both from Makui village, and Machungamang Daimai, 23, of Thalon village.

A video circulated on social media purportedly showed Ajinbou's body after the attack, with his head allegedly severed. The circumstances surrounding the footage and the identities of those responsible have not been independently verified.

The attack was also accompanied by reports of an ambush at Tapon Liangmai village.

Meanwhile, the Working Committee of the Joint Tribes Council (JTC-Manipur), representing the Inpui, Liangmai, Rongmei and Zeme communities, announced that post-mortem examinations of the deceased would remain suspended until Ajinbou's missing head was recovered and returned to his family for a dignified burial.

The committee issued a 48-hour ultimatum to the governments of India and Manipur, demanding the recovery of the missing remains and the arrest of Thangboi Kipgen, David Hangsing and Dr Sailen Haokip, whom it named in its statement as alleged main perpetrators. The allegations against the named individuals have not been independently established.