IMPHAL — Four Naga civilians, including a father and his son, were killed after unidentified armed men opened fire at Pilong village in Manipur’s Kamjong district on Thursday, officials said.

The incident took place at around 1.30 pm at the village, located about 35 km from Kamjong district headquarters near the India-Myanmar border. A fifth villager, identified as Varekhan Kaping, reportedly escaped and alerted authorities.

The deceased were identified as Phami Jajo (43) and his father Vareishim Jajo (67), both from Kangpat Khullen; Ningthem Kashak (35) of Zingsui; and Betterson Jajo (50) of Kangpat Khunou.

Police and security personnel were subsequently sent to the area to recover the bodies and assist with the investigation. The attack occurred in an area between border pillars 91 and 93.

Police said they were investigating the circumstances of the attack and those responsible.

The killings drew condemnation from Manipur Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh, former Chief Minister N Biren Singh and Tamei MLA Awangbow Newmai.

Meanwhile, the Tangkhul Naga Long (TNL), the apex body of the Tangkhul community, has called a 24-hour emergency total shutdown within its jurisdiction in protest against the killings.

The shutdown began at 7 am on Friday and will continue until 7 am on September 26.

The TNL identified the four victims and said the shutdown was being observed in response to their killing at Pilong. It called for strict observance of the shutdown across its jurisdiction.

Emergency and essential services, including power, medical and fire services, as well as movement related to funerals and condolence programmes, have been exempted from the shutdown.

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