Manipur Deputy Chief Minister Nemcha Kipgen on Wednesday strongly condemned the killing of 36-year-old Paojangam Chongloi, a local lineman from Wakotphai, who was allegedly ambushed by unidentified armed men while travelling to carry out electricity repair work at Lasan.
Chongloi, son of Lutjalam Chongloi and Lhaivah Chongloi, was reportedly working on a 33-KV power line when he came under attack. He is survived by his wife and four children, besides his parents. Police and local sources said the incident occurred at Lasan under Tamei police station in Tamenglong district.
Deputy Chief Minister Nemcha Kipgen described the killing as "deeply disturbing and heartbreaking", saying Chongloi's death was a tragic loss not only to his family but also to the wider community.
"At just 36, he leaves behind his wife and four children, as well as his grieving father and mother," she said.
The Deputy Chief Minister said Chongloi had been carrying out repair and maintenance work whenever the official lineman was unavailable and was performing an essential public service when he was killed.
Kipgen urged the authorities to conduct a fair and impartial investigation into the killing and ensure that those responsible are brought to justice.
"There has been enough loss of innocent lives," she said, appealing to all concerned to end the violence and choose peace and humanity.
She conveyed her heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family and prayed for strength and comfort for them.
The killing has triggered demands from Kuki-Zo civil society bodies for an investigation and accountability. A village authority has also approached police seeking registration of a Zero FIR into the incident.
Meanwhile, Sadar Hills based tribal body, the Committee on Tribal Unity Sadar Hills also strongly condemned the killing of 36-year-old Paojangam Chongloi, a civilian local lineman who was shot dead while reportedly carrying out electricity repair work at Lasan in Manipur's Tamenglong district.
The committee also said it would not claim the mortal remains of Chongloi until the alleged perpetrators were brought to justice.
CoTU alleged that cadres linked to the NSCN-IM and the ZUF-Kamson group were responsible for the attack, and demanded that those behind the killing be identified and brought to justice.
It also said Chongloi, a local 33-KV lineman serving the Twilang area, had become the latest civilian victim of violence and condemned what it described as the continued targeting of Kuki-Zo civilians.
The committee appealed to the state government and security agencies to take decisive action against armed groups operating in the area and ensure protection of civilians.
"The mortal remains of Late Paojangam Chongloi would not be claimed by the Kuki-Zo until and unless the perpetrators are brought to justice," the committee said.
The body linked the demand to seven other Kuki-Zo bodies which, it said, were still awaiting justice, and called for accountability in all such cases.
The committee alleged that armed groups had been exerting pressure on communities in the region and urged the authorities to take action against what it termed "secessionist armed" groups.
The killing has also prompted calls from other Kuki-Zo bodies for an independent and impartial investigation into the incident.
The Hills Journal
K. Salbung, Churachandpur
Manipur-795128
