The Manipur government has agreed to hand over to the National Investigation Agency (NIA) the investigation into the killing of a Kuki-Zo couple at Tollen village under Tousem subdivision in Tamenglong district, following mounting outrage over the twin attacks and a strong ultimatum issued by Kuki-Zo civil society bodies.
The agreement was reached through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between the government, represented by the SP, Tamenglong and SDO, Tousem, and the Joint Action Committee (JAC) against the killing of Seikhoneh Singsit and Lhingjangai Singsit.
The couple were brutally killed by armed assailants on September 13, leaving their four minor children orphaned, while their youngest four-year-old son Henminsang Singsit sustained critical injuries in the attack.
Under the six-point handwritten agreement, the government has assured that the case concerning the deaths of the couple would be handed over to the NIA “immediately through proper channel”, while the injured child would be provided the best possible medical treatment until full recovery.
The government has also agreed to provide ex-gratia compensation to the bereaved family immediately and undertake the proper rehabilitation of the four minor siblings, besides extending government support to them until they attain adulthood.
The four children are Chongunsem Singsit(12), Sehboineng Singsit(10), Lhunkhohao Singsit(7), and Henminsang Singsit(4).
The agreement assumes significance as the killings have intensified anger among Kuki-Zo organisations, which have accused the authorities of failing to provide adequate security to vulnerable villages despite repeated warnings.
The MoU further provides for adequate deployment of Central security forces at Tollen, Kaimai and Thingtuhbung-Kulbung, areas considered vulnerable following the recent attacks.
The government and the JAC agreed that all the commitments would be implemented within 30 days, failing which the government would be held accountable for any untoward incidents in the future.
The agreement came amid growing tension following the twin attacks in Tollen and Longpi, in which at least four Kuki-Zo civilians were killed and a minor boy was critically injured, triggering widespread condemnation and renewed demands for immediate security measures and a central probe.
The Kuki Inpi Jiribam, Tamenglong and Noney (Kuki Inpi JTN) and other Kuki-Zo civil society organisations had issued a strong ultimatum to the government, demanding decisive action against those responsible for the killings and enhanced security for vulnerable Kuki-Zo settlements.
The organisations had warned of intensified democratic agitation, including shutdown measures, if the government failed to respond within the stipulated period, putting further pressure on the authorities to act against the perpetrators and prevent recurrence of violence.
The Tollen killings have also evoked deep concern over the fate of children left behind by victims of the prolonged conflict, with the four siblings now dependent on government assurances for their education, livelihood, security and rehabilitation.
The MoU was signed by SDO Tousem Paul Nangsha and SP Tamenglong Luikham Lanmiyo, MPS, on behalf of the government, while Seilen Singson, convenor of the JAC, and Jangkhothang Khongsai, JAC secretary, signed on behalf of the aggrieved family and Satkholen Haokip, secretary of Kuki Inpi JTN, also signed the agreement on behalf of the civil society representatives.
The Hills Journal
K. Salbung, Churachandpur
Manipur-795128
