Manipur gunfight kills 3 cadres as govt forms peace panels across districts

Guwahati: At least three cadres were killed and six others injured in a gunfight involving the NSCN (IM) and the Zeliangrong United Front (Jenchui faction), commonly known as ZUF(J), at Taodaijang village in Manipur’s Noney district on Wednesday.

A senior police officer said the exchange of fire reportedly broke out around 3.30 am in the Taodaijang area, also known as Buanruang, under Nungba Police Station, triggering tension among residents of the remote locality.

The confrontation reportedly involved the ZUF-Jenchui faction (ZUF-J), the ZUF-Kamson faction (ZUF-K) and the NSCN (IM). One person was also reported to have sustained injuries.


Meanwhile, the Government of Manipur has ordered the constitution of District Level Peace Committees across all districts to strengthen grassroots peacebuilding, promote dialogue and restore communal harmony amid the state's ongoing security challenges.

The order, issued by the Governor of Manipur through Joint Secretary (Home) Dr Mayengbam Veto Singh, seeks to institutionalise continuous community engagement and confidence-building measures at the district level.

Each committee will be headed by the respective District Magistrate and include the Superintendent of Police, Sub-Divisional Officers (SDOs), Sub-Deputy Collectors (SDCs) and district-level officers from relevant departments.

The committees will also include representatives of different communities residing in the district, civil society organisations (CSOs), NGOs, local media and journalists. Retired government employees, doctors, other professionals, college lecturers, teachers and representatives of educational institutions will also be included. The chairperson may nominate additional members as required.

The committees will function as consultative and facilitative bodies to promote dialogue between communities, address local grievances, resolve misunderstandings and rebuild mutual trust.

They will also facilitate structured peace talks between communities in adjoining and conflict-affected districts, in coordination with district administrations, to prevent tensions from escalating.

Another key responsibility will be to identify emerging tensions, rumours and potential triggers of conflict for timely administrative intervention. The committees will work with local media to counter misinformation and inflammatory narratives.

They will also recommend measures to ensure the safe movement of people, restore essential services and revive normal socio-economic activities.

More than 50 people have reportedly been killed and dozens of houses torched in clashes between the Naga and Kuki-Zo communities since February this year.