Nine killed in Naga-Kuki clashes in three Manipur hill districts; CM appeals for peace

Heavy clashes were reported on Sunday in three hill districts of Manipur, Kamjong, Ukhrul and Kangpokpi. Officials said on Sunday that nine people have so far died in the fresh violent clashes between the Naga and Kuki communities. A woman is among the dead.

According to officials, six Nagas, two Kukis and a farmer from the Gorkha community were killed in the violence on Friday and Saturday. This is said to be the deadliest of the violent incidents in Manipur this year.

The violence began on Friday night with the killing of a 42-year-old woman in Chasad village in Kamjong district. Kamjong district is home mainly to a large Naga population, but the Kuki community is in the majority in Chasad village. Speaking to reporters in Imphal, a police officer said Domkhonei Tauthang, a mother of five children, was shot in the neck and died on the spot.

After the woman's killing, indiscriminate firing began between armed groups of the Kuki and Naga communities and continued until Saturday. A 23-year-old youth also lost his life during this time, and more than 10 houses were set on fire. The Kuki-Zo organisation has held security forces and a Naga armed group responsible for the woman's killing.

Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh has condemned the violence and the killing of innocent civilians and appealed to people to maintain peace and restraint. He has also directed the officials concerned to take immediate steps necessary to bring the situation under control and maintain law and order.

The Chief Minister posted on X and Facebook. He wrote that he condemns the killing of innocent civilians and the violence in Kamjong and Kangpokpi districts. According to him, he has ordered officials to draw up an immediate and effective plan to bring the situation under control, maintain peace and law and order, and ensure the safety of all citizens.

The Chief Minister appealed to various communities, people's representatives and civil society organisations to come forward, exercise restraint and help reduce tension. He also asked all sections of society to give top priority to peace, dialogue and mutual harmony.

According to officials, in view of the impact of the violence, the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) and Manipur Police have stepped up patrolling and search operations in the three districts so that the situation does not worsen further. After the violence, the District Magistrate of Kamjong has issued an order under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS). It bans the gathering of five or more people, the keeping of inflammable and dangerous items, and movement in curfew-bound areas.

In a separate incident in Kangpokpi district on Saturday, suspected Maoists attacked Tapon and Makui villages. According to officials, three people died in the attack, including two Naga village guards, M. Daimei and R. Gangmei. The third victim has been identified as Ringkangmai.

The Naga civil society body Working Committee JTC Manipur claims that Maoists beheaded Ajinbou R., a 52-year-old villager. The organisation has demanded that the severed head be returned to the family so that last rites can be performed with dignity.

In another attack, suspected Maoists opened fire in Ningchou village, a Tangkhul Naga-majority village near the India-Myanmar border in Kamjong district. Ngachanso Ningshen, 35, and Leishishan Leishadang, 48, were killed. Local residents claim that security forces reached the village on receiving news of the attack, but by then the Maoist attackers had managed to flee towards Myanmar.

According to local residents, more than 40 people were killed and many houses were set on fire in violence between the Kuki and Naga communities in the affected districts in February this year. That violence took place mainly in Ukhrul, Kamjong, Kangpokpi, Tamenglong and Noney districts, along with parts of Senapati district.