A man alleged to be one of the culprits in Hengjang's double murder case in 2019 was shot dead this early morning at around 7 am at Bongbal Khullen in Phailengmol Island Block in Kangpokpi District under Maphou Dam Police Station.
The slain individual was identified as one 22-year-old Sonkhothang alias David Haokip, son of Lunjamang Haokip of B Vengnom, Churachandpur.
The non-SoO Kuki militant outfit Kuki National Front (Nehlun) group immediately claimed hands on the killing on social media stating that the deceased Sonkhothang alias David Haokip was a former cadre of SoO group KLO/KLA involved in the double murder case of Hengjang village chief Thangkhotinlet alias Thangneo Kipgen and his nephew Thangminlun Kipgen on July 12, 2019 while alleging that David Haokip was an active cadre of Kuki National Liberation Army (KNLA).
KNF-N Information and Publicity Secretary, Gou Kuki said that David Haokip was awarded capital punishment as a retributive measure and for failing to pay heed to our earlier repeated warning.
The outfit then warned parents whose wards are involved with KNLA should called them back or else they will face the similar faith and no one shall blame the outfit for any action.
It also cautioned that any civil society organisations leaders and chiefs of Phailengmol Island block shall not provide shelter and operational base to KNLA cadres and if anyone is found violating the diktak, appropriate action will be initiate and no one should hold KNF-N responsible for any untoward incidents.
Meanwhile, civil society organisations of Phailengmol Island Block comprising of Kuki Inpi, Kuki Women Union, KSO strongly condemned the broad daylight killing of Sonkhothang alias David Haokip.
While terming the incident as unfortunate, it appealed to all militant outfits to resist such killing and avoid roaming around with sophisticated arms in the villages which could create fear psychosis among the innocent children, women and villagers.
