The post-mortem examinations of two Manipur Naga men began at a hospital in Imphal after security forces recovered the missing head of one victim on October 15. However, the recovery has not ended the agitation led by the Joint Tribes Council (JTC-Manipur).
The council continues to demand the arrest of individuals it has accused of involvement in the October 10 killings at Makui village in Kangpokpi district. The allegations against the named individuals have not been independently established.
Manipur Naga men: Missing head recovered
The missing head belonged to Ajinpou Ringkamai, 52, one of two Naga men whose bodies had been brought to the Jawaharlal Nehru Institute of Medical Sciences (JNIMS) in Imphal. The other victim was identified as Dibambou Ringkangmai, 48.
According to reports, a joint team of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and Manipur Police recovered the missing remains from an area near the incident site. The remains were subsequently brought to the JNIMS mortuary in the early hours of October 15.
The recovery came shortly before the expiry of a 48-hour deadline issued by the JTC. The council had demanded that authorities locate the missing head and return it to the bereaved family for a dignified burial.
Earlier, the council had stopped the post-mortem examinations of both victims until the missing remains were recovered. The development allowed the examinations to proceed, although the council maintained its separate demand for arrests.
JTC continues agitation over October 10 killings
Despite the recovery, the Joint Tribes Council has decided to continue its agitation. The organisation says the authorities must take action against those it suspects of involvement in the killings.
The council has named Thangboi Kipgen, David Hangsing and Dr Sailen Haokip as alleged principal perpetrators. However, their alleged involvement has not been independently established, and the accusations should not be treated as proven facts.
The JTC had called on the Centre and the Manipur government to recover the missing head and act against the individuals named in its demands. Its continued agitation reflects the community’s demand for accountability following the deaths.
Moreover, the recovery addresses only one of the council’s immediate demands. The organisation has made clear that it expects further action from the authorities before it considers its demands fulfilled.
Details of the attack in Kangpokpi district
The two men were among those reportedly killed in an attack at Makui village on October 10. The incident triggered anger among Naga organisations, particularly after Ajinpou’s head was found missing from his remains.
The bodies of Ajinpou and Dibambou reached JNIMS on October 12. Their post-mortem examinations remained suspended while the council pressed authorities to recover the missing remains.
Reports also described the condition of the bodies as severely damaged, complicating the handling of the remains and adding to the distress of the bereaved families.
Meanwhile, several civil society organisations visited the hospital to express solidarity with the families. The incident has renewed demands for a thorough investigation and legal action against anyone found responsible.
Calls for accountability and government action
The JTC has criticised the authorities over their response to the killings. It has also raised concerns about the alleged failure to prevent violence and hold those responsible accountable.
The council previously alleged that the perpetrators operated with impunity under the Suspension of Operations (SoO) arrangement. However, this claim remains an allegation by the organisation and has not been independently verified.
The case has placed renewed pressure on the state and central governments to establish the facts, investigate the killings and ensure that any suspects are dealt with under the law.
Furthermore, investigators will need to establish the circumstances surrounding the attack and determine individual responsibility through a lawful process. The allegations against the three named individuals require proper investigation before any conclusions can be drawn.
Manipur Naga men case remains unresolved
The recovery of Ajinpou Ringkamai’s missing head marks an important development in the case. Nevertheless, the Joint Tribes Council continues its agitation, insisting that the authorities must address its demand for arrests.
The post-mortem examinations of Ajinpou and Dibambou have now begun, but further details about the investigation and subsequent legal proceedings remain awaited.
For the families, the recovery may help them move towards the final rites. However, the wider dispute remains unresolved as Naga organisations seek accountability for the October 10 killings.
The next steps will depend on the investigation, the evidence gathered by authorities and any action taken against those suspected of involvement. Until then, the council’s agitation continues to keep the case in focus.
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