Manipur Violence: Three killed in two separate incidents in Ukhrul district

Guwahati: At least three people were killed in separate incidents of firing on Friday between armed groups of rival tribal communities in Manipur.

In Ukhrul district, one person was killed and at least two others injured, while several houses were allegedly set on fire in Mulam village under Litan Police Station. The Working Committee of the Tangkhul Naga Long (TNL) identified the person as Horshokmi Jamang, a Naga Village Guard, from Kamjong district. In a press statement, TNL alleged that Jamang was ambushed by Kuki cadres operating under Suspension of Operations, along with other militants, while on patrol between Sirarakhong and Sinakeithei following reports of suspicious movement in the area.



Also Read: Manipur crisis: 58,821 displaced, shutdowns grip state since 2023

In a separate incident, Mulam village reportedly came under attack in the early hours, triggering panic among residents and escalating tensions. According to a statement issued by the Mulam Village Authority, the village faced a "full-scale armed attack" around 5:30 am, involving heavy and indiscriminate firing along with arson. The authority said a blank shot was first heard around 1 am near the village, but it did not initially raise alarm amid the recent pattern of unrest. Later, the village defence committee said two Kuki-Zo volunteers were killed in the attack while defending the Mulam village. Calling the incident "unprovoked and premeditated," the Village Authority described it as a serious escalation, noting that a direct attack on a civilian village marked a grave and unacceptable development. It also pointed to a series of recent incidents.

These repeated incidents have created an atmosphere of sustained intimidation and disrupted daily life, the authority said, adding that the community had exercised restraint in the hope of a peaceful resolution.

Also Read: Manipur shutdown disrupts life after minors killed in Bishnupur attack

The statement further said the Village Authority had issued urgent warnings to authorities in nearby areas, including Toungou and Sirarikhong, urging intervention and de-escalation, but alleged that these appeals went unheeded.

Meanwhile, internally displaced persons (IDPs) affected by ethnic violence in the Kuki-Zo community-dominated Churachandpur district staged a sit-in protest on Friday and submitted a memorandum to Union Home Minister Amit Shah through the Deputy Commissioner. The IDPs, including women from different parts of the district, gathered at the Wall of Remembrance in Tuibong to hold the demonstration.