The development comes amid heightened tensions in the region following attacks in Tollen and Longpi villages, in which four civilians were killed
KRC TIMES Manipur Bureau
Imphal | The National Investigation Agency (NIA) will take over the investigation into the killing of a couple in Tollen village in Manipur’s Tamenglong district, officials said on Tuesday. The decision followed mounting public pressure and an ultimatum from Kuki-Zo civil society organisations demanding a central agency probe into the September 13 killings.
The transfer of the case was formalised through an agreement between government officials, including the Tamenglong superintendent of police and the Tousem sub-divisional officer, and a Joint Action Committee (JAC) formed following the incident.
The couple, Seikhoneh Singsit and Lhingjangai Singsit, were killed in an armed attack at Tollen village on September 13. Their four children, aged 12, 10, seven and four, were left without their parents. The youngest child was also critically injured in the attack. Under the six-point agreement, the government assured the JAC that the case would be handed over to the NIA without delay.
The administration also agreed to bear the injured child’s medical expenses until recovery, provide immediate ex-gratia assistance to the bereaved family and arrange long-term rehabilitation and financial support for the four children until they reach adulthood.
The agreement also provides for the deployment of additional Central security forces in vulnerable areas, including Tollen, Kaimai and Thingtuhbung-Kulbung, to strengthen security and prevent further attacks. Both sides agreed to implement the commitments within 30 days. The government also accepted responsibility for any further incidents if the agreed security measures were not implemented within the stipulated period.
The development comes amid heightened tensions in the region following attacks in Tollen and Longpi villages, in which four civilians were killed. Before the agreement, the Kuki Inpi Jiribam, Tamenglong and Noney, along with other civil society organisations, had demanded stringent action against those responsible and stronger security arrangements in vulnerable Kuki-Zo settlements.
