Manipur village chief shot dead by unidentified assailants

Guwahati: A village chief in Churachandpur in Manipur was killed by unknown miscreants.

A senior police officer who does not wish to be named said, “The cadres belonged to the banned militant outfit, United Kuki National Army (UKNA). The victim, identified as Mangthang Haokip, was the chief of T Khonomphai village in Henglep sub-division of the Churachandpur district. The incident occurred at around 4.30 pm on Monday.

He added, "Haokip succumbed to his injuries on arrival at Khaopijang village en route to the hospital”.


The Henglep Headquarter Area Chief Association (HACA) condemned the incident.

The Manipur government had withdrawn the SoO agreement with UKNA in 2023 following the alleged involvement of the armed group in the Manipur crisis.

Police have registered a case at Henglep Police Station, and an investigation is underway. The body of the deceased was later handed over
to the villagers after completion of formalities.

Manipur has been under President’s rule since February this year. At least 260 people have been killed and over a thousand people injured in the ethnic violence in the state between the tribal Kuki-Zo and the non-tribal Meitei people since May 3, 2023. More than 60,000 people have been displaced from their homes and villages, they are staying in relief camps in different districts.