The Joint Tribes Council Manipur has demanded the return of the missing head of a 52-year-old man allegedly killed in an armed attack in Kangpokpi district, as fresh violence leaves at least nine people dead across three districts.
Man’s Headless Body Recovered After Suspected Attack
Tensions have escalated in Manipur after 52-year-old Ajinbou R was allegedly killed in a suspected militant attack on Makui Ashang village in Kangpokpi district on Saturday. His headless body was brought to the Jawaharlal Nehru Institute of Medical Sciences (JNIMS) in Imphal on Sunday night for a post-mortem examination.
A video purportedly showing the victim’s severed head among heavily armed men wearing camouflage went viral on social media, triggering outrage and demands for action.
Naga Body Issues 48-Hour Ultimatum
The Joint Tribes Council Manipur issued a 48-hour ultimatum demanding that the missing head be located and returned to the victim’s family for a dignified burial.
The organisation said the post-mortem should not be conducted until the head was returned. It described the incident as an affront to humanity and warned that it would take stringent measures if its demand was not met.
The council also held the state and central governments responsible for addressing the renewed violence and ensuring justice.
Fresh Violence Leaves Nine Dead
The latest incident comes amid a fresh wave of violence across Manipur’s Kamjong, Ukhrul and Kangpokpi districts. At least nine people were killed in separate firing incidents on Friday and Saturday, according to reports.
The violence reportedly began after a 22-year-old woman was shot dead by unidentified assailants in Chassad village in Kamjong district on Friday night. Subsequent exchanges of fire between armed groups intensified tensions in the region.
Chief Minister Calls for Peace
Chief Minister Y. Khemchand Singh has condemned the killings and directed authorities to take effective measures to restore law and order and protect residents.
The latest incidents have renewed concerns over security in Manipur, where ethnic tensions and armed clashes have resulted in deaths and damage to homes in recent months.
Authorities now face mounting pressure to investigate the killings, recover the missing remains and prevent further violence.