Imphal : Two insurgent groups – one belonging to the Meitei and another Naga group are being held responsible for gunning down 3 tribals while hundreds of women for the second day on Saturday staged demonstrations against the killings.

World Kuki-Zo Intellectual Council (WKZIC) in a statement alleged that actioners of the Meitei underground outfit Kanglei Yaol Kanna Lup (KYKL) and Manipur Naga Revolutionary Front (MNRF) in predawn attacks killed 3 persons at Sipijang village in Litang police station on August 18.

The Council appeals to all Naga civil society organizations to approach the MNRF leadership for understanding that their involvement in such crime against the Kuki-Zo Christians can only bring regrets in days to come.It also appeals to the United Naga Council, (UNC), Manipur, and the Kuki Inpi Manipur (KIM) to sit together and find out the ways and means to stop this unwanted and diabetic plan to destroy aged old brotherhood as Christians and tribals.

For the second day on Saturday, hundreds of tribal women staged protests blocking the NH 02 Imphal-Dimapur at the Kangpokpi district headquarters. Condemning the killings, the womenfolks are also demanding among others deployment of Assam Rifles in Kuki areas and the reimposition of the controversial Armed Forces Special Powers Act (ASFPA) in the entire state.

The Council also condemned the killing of the 3 tribals namely Jamkhogin, Thangkhokai, and Hollenson were shot dead on August 18 by the unknown armed men. The state government has also ordered a magisterial inquiry leading to the death of the three tribals.