Manipur MLA urges stronger border security after killing of four Tangkhul Naga civilians

Phungyar MLA Leishiyo Keishing has urged the authorities to strengthen security along the Manipur-Myanmar border and expedite border fencing after four Tangkhul Naga civilians were allegedly abducted and killed near the international border in Kamjong district.

Keishing condemned the killings and alleged that militants from neighbouring Myanmar were responsible for the attack. He also called for the disputed portions of the border to be settled to facilitate stronger security arrangements and fencing.

A public condolence service for the four victims was held at the Town Hall in Kamjong headquarters on Friday. Organised by the Tangkhul Naga Long, the programme was attended by people from different parts of the region, particularly from Kamjong district.

The mortal remains of the victims were later taken to their respective native villages for the last rites.

Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of the condolence programme, Keishing said Kamjong district covers around 2,400 square kilometres and shares a porous border stretching approximately 120 km with Myanmar, making the area vulnerable to cross-border attacks.

He referred to previous incidents in border areas, alleging that militants had entered from Myanmar and carried out attacks at Choro, Namlee and Wanglee in May.

“Yesterday at around 1.30 pm, terrorists from neighbouring country Burma entered into a border village of Manipur in Pilong and abducted four civilians and brutally killed them,” Keishing said, while condemning the incident and demanding justice for the victims.

He said people living in villages along the border were vulnerable as the areas remained exposed to attacks.

Keishing urged the authorities to improve security arrangements in the border belt and fence the international boundary after resolving the disputed areas.

Four civilians killed

The four Tangkhul Naga civilians were allegedly abducted from Pilong village in Kamjong district at around 1.30 pm on Thursday.

Their bodies, bearing bullet injuries, were recovered from an isolated location near the Myanmar border in the remote village on Friday morning, according to local sources.

Pilong is located around 34 km from the Kamjong district headquarters.

The deceased have been identified as Phami Jajo, Betterson Jajo and Vareishim Jajo, all residents of Kangpat Khullen, and Ningthem Kashak of Zingsui village.

The circumstances surrounding the killings and the identity of those responsible are subject to investigation.