Naga Body Gives 48-Hour Ultimatum Over Slain Man’s Missing Head in Manipur

A Naga civil society organisation has issued a 48-hour ultimatum demanding the recovery and return of the severed head of a man allegedly killed in a suspected militant attack in Manipur’s Kangpokpi district, as fresh violence across three districts has claimed at least nine lives.

The Joint Tribes Council-Manipur (JTC) demanded that the state and Central governments locate and return the head of Ajinbou R, 52, to his family for a dignified burial. The headless body was brought to the Jawaharlal Nehru Institute of Medical Sciences in Imphal for post-mortem on Sunday night.

The council said the post-mortem would not be conducted until the missing head was returned, warning that it would take stringent measures if its ultimatum was not met. A video purportedly showing the severed head among armed men in camouflage had circulated on social media.

The United Naga Council also condemned the alleged killing, demanded the arrest and prosecution of those responsible, and raised concerns over the security of Naga villages despite the deployment of security personnel.

The latest outbreak of violence has affected Kamjong, Ukhrul and Kangpokpi districts, with reports of shootings and houses being torched. The clashes followed the killing of a 22-year-old mother of five in Chassad village in Kamjong district on Friday night, triggering exchanges of fire between Kuki and Naga armed groups.

Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh has condemned the killings and directed authorities to take immediate steps to restore peace and ensure public safety. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has also reportedly assured the chief minister of support in restoring normalcy.

More than 50 people have reportedly been killed in Kuki-Naga violence since February this year. Earlier ethnic clashes between Meiteis and Kukis left more than 300 people dead and displaced thousands.