CoTU Shutdown Over Killing of 71-Year-Old Paralyses Kangpokpi, Human Rights Body, Chiefs' Association Demand Impartial Probe

A 24-hour total shutdown called by the Committee on Tribal Unity (CoTU) over the brutal killing of 71-year-old Hemjang Haokip, who was abducted from his farm hut on October 3, began at midnight on Monday, bringing normal life across Kangpokpi district to a near standstill.

The shutdown followed the recovery of Haokip’s body late Sunday afternoon after an extensive search by villagers and security forces. His body was brought to the Kangpokpi district headquarters late Sunday night before being taken to Churachandpur for preservation at a morgue.

Shops, business establishments, private institutions and schools remained closed, while the shutdown severely disrupted the functioning of government offices and brought vehicular movement along National Highway-2 to a halt, except for exempted services.

At Bongmol village, shutdown volunteers, predominantly women, strictly enforced the bandh, stopping vehicles covered by the shutdown order and restricting even local vehicular movement.

Volunteers were seen checking documents of vehicles claiming exemption, including those carrying media personnel and providing medical emergency and airport-related services.

Several vehicles travelling along the highway were forced to take U-turns from both directions after being stopped by volunteers at Bongmol. The highway was completely blocked with benches placed across the road.

Central security forces were deployed along the highway and seen monitoring the situation.

No untoward incident had been reported till the filing of this report.

The shutdown underscored the deepening anger and grief over the killing of the elderly man, whose abduction from his farm hut and subsequent death have triggered widespread outrage among the Kuki-Zo community.

Meanwhile, the Kuki Women Organisation for Human Rights (KWOHR) and the Sadar Hills Chiefs’ Association (SAHILCA) have strongly condemned the killing and demanded an impartial, time-bound probe and justice for the slain civilian.

Describing the incident as a "heinous act of violence" against a defenseless civilian, the Kuki Women Organisation for Human Rights attributed the incident to NSCN-IM insurgents.

According to the human rights body, 71-year-old Hemjang Haokip of Khunkho village in Manipur's Kangpokpi district was abducted from his farm hut and killed on October 3.

Condemning the killing in the strongest terms, KWOHR said the targeting of an elderly civilian engaged in livelihood activities was a grave violation of human rights and an assault on the basic values of humanity, peace and justice.

"The continued targeting of civilians, including elderly persons engaged in farming and other livelihood activities, is unacceptable," the organisation said.

KWOHR said the killing had plunged Haokip's family and the Khunkho community into "profound sorrow" and created renewed fear and insecurity among civilians living in vulnerable and remote areas.

The human rights body urged the Manipur government, district administration and law enforcement agencies to launch an immediate, impartial and time-bound investigation and ensure that those responsible are brought to justice.

It also called for urgent measures to protect civilians in remote areas and prevent further attacks on innocent people.

"Human life is sacred and violence can never be justified as a means of addressing political, ethnic or territorial differences," KWOHR said.

The organisation reaffirmed its commitment to defending the rights, dignity and security of civilians and appealed to all stakeholders to uphold the rule of law and work towards lasting peace and justice.

Similarly, the Sadar Hills Chiefs' Association (SAHILCA) has also condemned the alleged abduction and brutal killing of an elderly farmer in Kangpokpi district, demanding an immediate and impartial investigation into the incident.

The chiefs' body said 71-year-old Hemjang Haokip, a resident of Khunkho Kuki Village, was allegedly abducted by NSCN (IM) militants from his farm hut while he was working for his livelihood. The association further alleged that the hut was subsequently set ablaze.

Haokip was later found dead with his hands tied with rope, according to SAHILCA, which described the manner of his killing as "cruel and inhumane".

"The killing of an elderly civilian in such a brutal manner is a grave and unacceptable act of violence," the association said in a statement.

SAHILCA said Haokip was a defenseless and hardworking farmer whose life was devoted to supporting his family, and that his killing had triggered deep outrage, fear and concern among villagers.

The chiefs' body called upon the authorities and law enforcement agencies to act "immediately and decisively" to investigate the killing and bring those responsible to justice.

It demanded a thorough and impartial probe into the circumstances surrounding Haokip's alleged abduction and killing, stressing that the community could not remain silent in the face of violence against defenseless civilians.

SAHILCA also appealed to all concerned to uphold the sanctity of human life, respect the rights of civilians and prevent further violence against innocent people.