Protesters block Indo–Myanmar Sugnu road over alleged killing of Meitei civilian in Manipur

Tensions escalated in Manipur on Thursday, January 22, as residents of Kakching Khunou blocked the strategically important Indo–Myanmar Sugnu Road to protest the alleged abduction and killing of a Meitei civilian, Mayanglambam Rishikanta Singh, in Churachandpur district. The road blockade was staged to condemn what the family has described as a “brutal killing” allegedly carried out by suspected Kuki militants.

 

Local residents said the blockade was imposed immediately after news of the killing emerged, with protesters demanding justice and stronger security measures for civilians amid the continuing ethnic unrest in the state. The agitators also announced plans to hold a public meeting to deliberate on further steps in response to the incident.

 

Rishikanta Singh (31), a resident of Kakching Khunou Uchan Makhong Leikai in Kakching district, was allegedly abducted on January 21 and killed in Churachandpur district, according to a complaint filed by his family. He was the son of M. Tombi Singh and the husband of Chingnu Haokip (38), a resident of Tuibong (Tuibuang) village in Churachandpur.

 

According to family members, the couple had been staying together in Churachandpur since December 19, 2025, after Rishikanta returned from Nepal, where he had been working. The family said they were first alerted to the incident after coming across a disturbing video purportedly showing his killing, which later began circulating widely on social media. This was followed by a phone call from his wife, who informed them that he had been abducted and killed by armed assailants.

 

Speaking to the media, a family member said Rishikanta had married a Kuki woman and had maintained close contact with his family before the outbreak of ethnic violence. “After the crisis began, communication became irregular,” the family member said.

 

As per the account shared by Rishikanta’s wife, three unidentified armed men allegedly arrived at their residence around 6:30 pm on January 21 and forcibly abducted him. She reportedly tried to resist but was overpowered. According to her statement, both were taken in a four-wheeler to a secluded area, where she was later pushed out of the vehicle. Rishikanta was allegedly taken towards a nearby hill area and shot dead.

 

“We strongly suspect the involvement of Kuki militants in the cold-blooded killing of my brother,” a family member said, while adding that the wife claimed she could not identify the attackers.

 

A formal complaint has been lodged at Waikhong Police Station, seeking a thorough investigation and strict action against those responsible. The complaint states that at around 1:45 am on January 22, the family received telephonic confirmation from Chingnu Haokip regarding the abduction and killing.

 

Police officials confirmed that a case has been registered and an investigation is underway to establish the sequence of events and identify the perpetrators. Authorities have urged the public to maintain calm as probe continue.