Imphal | Four Tangkhul Naga civilians were killed in a suspected armed attack near Pilong village in Manipur’s Kamjong district, close to the Myanmar border, on Thursday afternoon, police said.

The victims were identified as Phami Jajo, 43; Ningthem Kashak, 35; Betterson Jajo, 50; and Vareishim Jajo, 67. Their bodies were brought to Kamjong district headquarters, where post-mortem examinations are underway.

According to police, unidentified armed persons suspected to be members of a Myanmar-based rebel group entered the area and opened fire on a group of villagers. One person who was reportedly present during the incident escaped and later hid in the nearby jungle.

The attack took place at Pilong, around 30-35 km from Kamjong district headquarters. Police teams led by personnel from Chassad Police Station, along with local security personnel and Assam Rifles, were sent to the area following the incident.

Police have registered a suo motu case at Chassad Police Station under provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act and the Arms Act. Investigators are working to establish the circumstances of the killings and identify those responsible.

The Tangkhul Naga Long (TNL), meanwhile, has alleged that cadres of the Kuki National Army-Burma (KNA-B) and other armed groups were responsible for the killings. The allegation has not been independently verified.

TNL announces 24-hour shutdown

Following the killings, the TNL announced a 24-hour emergency total shutdown across its jurisdiction from 7 am on September 25 to 7 am on September 26.

The organisation said the shutdown was called in protest against the deaths of the four civilians. Essential services, including power, medical and fire services, as well as movement related to funerals and condolence programmes, have been exempted.

The killings have heightened security concerns in the remote border areas of Kamjong, where difficult terrain and limited accessibility pose challenges for security forces.

Youth body opposes CM’s proposed Ukhrul visit

Separately, Khanuitthot-Khon (Voice of the Tangkhul Naga Youth) has opposed Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh’s proposed visit to Ukhrul on September 28, citing security concerns in Naga-inhabited areas.

The organisation said the chief minister is scheduled to attend a Public Service Delivery Camp in Ukhrul and urged the government to reconsider the visit in view of recent violence.

It also raised concerns over the activities of armed groups operating under the Suspension of Operations (SoO) framework and called for greater accountability for attacks on civilians.

The youth body urged the state and Central governments to strengthen security in Naga-inhabited areas and ensure investigations into killings and other incidents of violence.