Overview
- Police identified the victim as Mayanglambam Rishikanta Singh, abducted from Tuibong on January 21 and later found shot near Natjang, while his wife was released.
- A video of the killing circulated online with the caption “No peace no popular government,” and police registered a suo motu case and began an investigation.
- Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla told an MP the process to hand the case to the National Investigation Agency is underway as a Joint Action Committee and protesters demand a federal probe.
- Police and officials suspect cadres of the United Kuki National Army, which is outside the Suspension of Operations pact, while the Kuki National Organisation denies any role or prior knowledge.
- The incident follows recent security operations targeting UKNA and comes in the context of Manipur’s prolonged Meitei–Kuki‑Zo conflict that has left over 260 dead and tens of thousands displaced.