7 dead in a day in Manipur, shutdown called in Kangpokpi

Guwahati: Seven people have died in separate incidents in Manipur's Kamjong, Ukhrul and Kangpokpi districts, according to a senior police officer.

The officer said two people were killed in an attack by unidentified miscreants in Chassad, two people from the Kuki group were killed, a person was killed in a militant attack in Ukhrul, and two Naga people were killed in Kangpokpi.

Former Manipur chief minister N Biren Singh said on X that seven lives had been lost in a single day following violent incidents across different parts of the state. He said suspected Myanmar-based militants had reportedly attacked Ningchou village in Kamjong district, while deadly violence had also been reported along Makui IT Road and at Chassad. A police station in Kamjong had reportedly been burnt down, he added.


Singh said two Nagas from Makui Ashang village in Kangpokpi district had also been reported missing. He also flagged the killing of Sandeep Rai, a member of the Nepali community, in an alleged KRA ambush at Yolen near TM Kasom Litan in Ukhrul district.

"This shows how the violence is spreading and claiming innocent lives across communities," Singh said, questioning how armed militants could kill people, burn down police stations and challenge the authority of the Indian state with impunity. He called for the recovery of all illegally held weapons, decisive operations against armed militant groups and stronger security along the Indo-Myanmar border. He urged state and central security forces to act without further delay.

In view of the reported attacks in Chassad in Kamjong district, Yaolen in Ukhrul district and along the IT Road in Kangpokpi district, the Committee on Tribal Unity (CoTU) announced a 24-hour total shutdown across Kangpokpi district from 6 pm on Saturday. CoTU referred to the reported involvement of Tangkhul and Liangmei elements associated with NSCN-IM.

CoTU said the attacks posed a serious threat to civilian lives and security. It called for urgent precautionary measures to protect people and prevent further escalation, and condemned violence and intimidation against civilians.

Residents, business establishments, transport operators and others were asked to observe the shutdown and cooperate. Emergency medical services and other essential life-saving services were exempted.

Meanwhile, Kamjong district authorities imposed prohibitory orders under Section 162 of the BNSS within a 400-metre radius of the Chassad police gate junction to prevent further violence. The orders prohibit the assembly of five or more people and will remain in force until further notice. Security personnel, magistrates on duty, essential-service personnel and individuals holding special permits are exempted. The District Magistrate directed the Superintendent of Police to deploy adequate security in the restricted area.

The Kuki Women Organisation for Human Rights (KWOHR) condemned the killings of Domkhonei Touthang, a mother of five, on October 9, and Michael Ngamminlen Haokip on October 10 in Chassad village, Kamjong district. It also raised concerns over reported firing on unarmed women and the alleged burning and destruction of residential houses.