Kin of beheaded Naga man refuse to accept body: ‘Against traditions’

The family of R Ajinpou, a Naga man allegedly killed by Kuki militants in Makui village, Manipur, has not accepted his headless body. Authorities claim the remains cannot be identified with certainty, which contradicts the family's customary practices. Ajinpou was one of three Naga men killed in the Makui attack on October 10, 2022.

The family insists that his identity can only be confirmed after his severed head is recovered. R Stoneson, Ajinpou's brother, stated, "A person's head is their identity. Without it, how can anyone identify the deceased? No one can be certain that the headless body belongs to my brother; it could belong to anyone. According to our traditions, we cannot accept the body under these circumstances.

We will accept it only when the severed head is recovered." Simultaneously, the Joint Tribe Council-Manipur’s Working Committee has given the Central and state governments a 48-hour ultimatum demanding the recovery of Ajinpou's head and the arrest of the alleged perpetrators - Thangboi Kipgen, David Hangsing, and Sailen Haokip - a Kuki militant leader.

They also insist these individuals face the full force of the law. A video has surfaced on social media purportedly showing Kuki militants displaying Ajinpou's severed head.