A 58-year-old man from the Naga community, identified as Chunjanglung Panmei, was fatally shot inside a forest in Manipur’s Kangpokpi district. Panmei, a village guard, was gathering firewood for domestic use when the tragic incident occurred. His body, bearing multiple bullet wounds, including one to the head, was discovered in the forest after gunshots were heard in the area.
The killing of Panmei has raised concerns over security in the region, especially following a recent incident where three civilians, including a woman, were murdered by unidentified gunmen in the same vicinity. The Naga People’s Organisation (NPO) has condemned Panmei’s killing as a “cold-blooded murder,” emphasizing that it was solely due to his Naga identity. The organization has called for a prompt and thorough investigation to bring the perpetrators to justice.
Expressing deep sorrow over the incident, Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh denounced Panmei’s killing as a heinous and cowardly act of violence against an innocent civilian. Singh assured that the Manipur Police and Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) are actively pursuing the culprits to ensure justice prevails. The Chief Minister also pledged full support to Panmei’s family during this challenging period and urged all communities to maintain peace, avoid provocations, and cooperate with authorities to uphold law and order in the state.
