Photo Courtesy: nenow
Imphal: The Naga People’s Organisation plans a public rally at the Senapati District Headquarters on October 2, 2026. The event kicks off at 11 am to protest the recent killing of three Naga civilians at Kailenjang. Organisers want residents to wear traditional attire to show solidarity. They demand a swift, impartial investigation into the violence.
The death toll climbed after 49-year-old Ashiho Sani of Shajouba village died from injuries. He was wounded in the September 26 shooting. Two other men, K. Rocky Osanah and Kh. Kumar, died at the scene. The organisation pointed toward Kuki militants as the primary suspects, though official investigators still have work to do.
Naga civil society leaders previously gathered at Traffic Point, Senapati, on September 27 for a condolence service. The NPO followed this with a 12-hour total shutdown across the district on September 28. Officials are now pushing for legal action to bring the perpetrators to account. In a public notice, the group expressed their resolve: "The NPO has called for a thorough and impartial investigation into the incident, speedy legal action against those responsible and justice for the victims."
Updated at 2nd October 2026 at 5:49pm
About 2,000 people packed into the rally at Traffic Point on Friday, marching to Forest Gate before circling back. The crowd included representatives from student groups, women's unions, church leaders, and the families of the fallen. During the program, a family representative declared, We stand not for hatred but for justice, not for revenge but for accountability.
The NPO backed their demands with a formal memorandum submitted to the Chief Minister. The document pins the attack between 2:30 pm and 3 pm on September 26 and identifies a fourth victim, Adani Manio, who survived the shooting and is currently receiving medical treatment.
The group handed a nine-point charter to the Deputy Commissioner since government offices were shuttered for the holiday. Their demands include a Special Investigation Team led by an officer at the Inspector General level, a 45-day deadline for filing charge sheets, and 10 lakh rupees in ex-gratia payments for each of the families of the deceased. They also want state authorities to beef up security along the Senapati-Kangpokpi border to shield vulnerable villages.
The NPO gave the state government seven days to respond in writing, warning that they will launch further protests if their terms remain unmet.
Updated at 2nd October 2026 at 9:49pm
The protest path stretched from Traffic Point to Forest Gate at Rikhumai Taphou before circling back. The NPO's nine-point charter adds specific logistical and financial requirements to the state's to-do list. Beyond the push for an Inspector General-led SIT, they want a 30-day investigation window, interim status reports every 15 days, and support for burial rites. They are also pressing for compassionate job appointments and educational aid for the children of the deceased.
The NPO's memorandum mandates that the state clamp down on armed elements threatening civilian lives. They explicitly hold the government responsible for patrolling and dominating the Senapati-Kangpokpi border to secure vulnerable villages. Officials have seven days to put a formal response in writing or face further agitation.
Updated at 3rd October 2026 at 9:46am
Beyond the primary demands, the NPO memorandum requests formal state assistance for the victims' burial and customary rites. It also seeks compassionate government jobs for surviving family members and guaranteed educational aid for the children of the deceased.
The NPO expanded its reach during the filing process by dispatching copies of the nine-point charter to the Governor, Deputy Chief Minister, Home Minister, Chief Secretary, Director General of Police, and the Senapati Superintendent of Police.
Family members speaking at the rally pushed back against characterizations of the incident as a clash, labeling the September 26 shooting an unprovoked, cold-blooded murder. They emphasized that the victims were targeted while performing routine activities.
Updated at 3rd October 2026 at 9:51pm
The NPO expanded its pressure campaign by dispatching copies of the nine-point charter to the Governor, Deputy Chief Minister, Home Minister, Chief Secretary, and the Director General of Police. The student wing, Senapati District Students' Association, joined the chorus for a time-bound probe, warning that demonstrations will continue until the state delivers tangible justice.
Family representatives rejected any suggestion that the shooting was a clash. Instead, they labeled the incident as an unprovoked, cold-blooded murder that targeted men simply trying to go about their daily routines. The Naga Women's Union echoed this stance, calling for a probe that is both transparent and swift.
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