The Ihang-Bungpi Working Committee has strongly condemned an alleged unprovoked firing by militants of NSCN-IM in Sinakeithel village of Manipur.
In a statement issued on April 15, the committee reported that the incident occurred around 5:00 PM on April 14, when militants stationed in the area opened fire, posing a serious threat to civilians traveling along the Leplen–Tingpibung road. The committee described the act as a grave danger to public safety and peace in the region.
The statement noted that the incident is particularly alarming as it took place shortly after a meeting with the General Officer Commanding (GOC), during which commitments toward peace and de-escalation were reaffirmed. The committee stated that such actions undermine these assurances and reflect a disregard for ongoing efforts to maintain stability.
Highlighting the panic caused among local residents, the committee termed the situation unacceptable and urged authorities to take immediate and decisive action. It called for accountability against those responsible and stressed the need to ensure the safety of civilians.
Furthermore, the committee emphasized that the presence of security forces must lead to effective protection on the ground. It also demanded the deployment of additional personnel in affected areas and called for concrete, time-bound measures to dismantle illegal bunkers allegedly operated by NSCN-IM militants.
The statement concluded with a strong appeal to authorities to act swiftly to restore confidence and maintain peace in the region.
