Nine dead in 24 hrs as Manipur’s hill districts witness fresh bloodshed; 14 houses torched

At least nine people were killed and 14 houses torched in a spate of violent incidents across Manipur’s hill districts in the past 24 hours, triggering fresh tensions between Kuki and Naga communities and prompting a shutdown in Kangpokpi district.

The victims included a Kuki woman killed during an exchange of fire in Kamjong district, Naga village guards targeted in separate attacks in Kamjong and Kangpokpi, and a civilian commuter ambushed in Ukhrul district, officials said on Saturday.

The violence prompted the Kamjong district administration to prohibit gatherings within a 400-metre radius of Chassad police station. Meanwhile, the Committee on Tribal Unity (CoTU), a Kuki organisation, called a 24-hour shutdown in Kangpokpi district from 6 pm on Saturday.

The violence erupted on Friday night (October 9) after Domkhonei Touthang, 42, a Kuki woman and mother of five, was killed during an exchange of fire near Chassad police station.

According to police, security personnel comprising civil police, India Reserve Battalion and Border Security Force personnel had launched an operation to dismantle alleged illegal bunkers near the police station following reports about their construction.

Local women allegedly attempted to disrupt the operation when unidentified armed assailants opened fire at security personnel, who retaliated. Touthang sustained bullet injuries to her upper left chest near the neck and died at the spot, police said.

The incident occurred around 9.35 pm on October 9 amid protests over the alleged arbitrary arrest and detention of Chassad village volunteers.

The killing was followed by arson and further exchanges of gunfire between armed groups and security personnel. At least 14 houses belonging to members of both communities were set ablaze. Miscreants also attempted to set fire to Chassad police station, damaging some wooden shops near its entrance, officials said.

Gunfire resumed around 5 am on Saturday and continued until approximately 7 am.

The Kuki Women Union headquarters claimed that a 23-year-old man, Michael Ngamminlen Haokip, was also shot dead, allegedly by cadres of the National Socialist Council of Nagalim (Isak-Muivah), or NSCN-IM, and its Eastern Flank faction. The allegation could not be independently verified.

In another incident, two Naga village guards, Ngachanso Ningshen, 30, and Leishishan Hungyo, 50, were killed in an attack at Ningchou Chingdong village in Kamjong district around 9.30 am on Saturday, police said.

The village is located approximately 17 km southeast of Chassad police station.

A senior police officer told India Today on condition of anonymity that armed groups operating across the India-Myanmar border might have been involved in the attack. However, there was no official confirmation, and an investigation was underway.

In Kangpokpi district, a Naga village volunteer was killed and two others injured in an ambush allegedly carried out by suspected armed Kuki militants.

The attack occurred around 6 am between Makui and Tapok villages along the Imphal-Tamenglong road, approximately 15 km northeast of Chalwa police station.

Police identified the deceased as Machungwangbou, 35, of Thalon village under Tamei subdivision. The injured were Nahason, 29, of L Pabram village, and Mathangambou, 30, of Kadi village.

According to police, four Naga village volunteers had left Tapon village for Makui after receiving information that the latter village was under attack. Armed men allegedly lying in wait ambushed them around 2 km from Tapon.

Machungwangbou died at the spot. Nahason sustained bullet injuries to both legs, while Mathangambou was injured in both legs and arms. The injured were evacuated to Senapati district headquarters for treatment.

The ambush followed an earlier attack on Makui around 5 am, in which three Naga village guards were killed, police said. One victim was reportedly beheaded.

A video purportedly showing two armed men recording the beheaded victim circulated on social media. Villagers identified the victim as Ajinpou Ringkangmai. The other deceased were identified as Machungammamg and Robart.

In a separate incident, Sandeep Rai, 30, was killed when unidentified armed assailants ambushed his car near Konjang village along National Highway 202, which connects Imphal with Nagaland via Ukhrul.

The attack occurred around 5.30 am on Saturday, approximately 12 km northwest of Litan police station, police said.

Rai, who was residing at Taphou Senapati Nepali village near Senapati district headquarters, was travelling in his car when the assailants attacked him.

Police recovered the body and registered a case. It was later deposited at the mortuary of the Jawaharlal Nehru Institute of Medical Sciences in Imphal for postmortem examination. The motive and those responsible for the killing were yet to be established.

Amid the escalating violence, CoTU announced a 24-hour total shutdown across Kangpokpi district from 6 pm on Saturday.

In a statement, the organisation cited what it described as coordinated attacks in Chassad in Kamjong district, Yaolen in Ukhrul district and along the IT Road in Kangpokpi district. It alleged the involvement of Tangkhul and Liangmai elements associated with the NSCN-IM.

CoTU condemned violence and intimidation against civilians and appealed to all concerned to remain vigilant, maintain peace and refrain from actions that could further aggravate the situation.

With multiple killings, arson and gun attack reported across the hill districts, the latest violence has heightened fears of further escalation. Investigations into the separate incidents are underway.