Fresh violence in Manipur’s Kamjong, Ukhrul and Kangpokpi districts left at least 10 people dead and many injured, with houses and shops burnt and calls for impartial investigations.
Imphal, Oct. 10: Fresh violence was reported in Manipur’s Kamjong, Ukhrul and Kangpokpi districts on Saturday, with at least six people reportedly killed in incidents around Kamjong and four Liangmai Naga village guards reported dead in attacks along the Imphal–Tamenglong Road. Several others were injured, while houses and shops were reportedly burnt.
The incidents occurred at multiple locations, including Chassad and Ningchou villages in Kamjong district and Makui Ashang and Tapon Liangmai villages along the Imphal–Tamenglong Road in Kangpokpi district. The reported casualties and property damage had not been fully confirmed by authorities at the time of filing this report.
Six Reported Killed in Kamjong, Ukhrul Incidents
At least six people, including a woman, were reportedly killed in separate incidents linked to two days of violence in Kamjong district and a shooting incident in neighbouring Ukhrul district.
The deceased woman was identified as Domkhonei Touthang, wife of Lallenmung Touthang of Chassad village. She reportedly died from gunshot injuries on Friday night.
Sources also reported that two suspected Kuki armed individuals were killed during separate incidents. Their identities had not been officially confirmed, although one was reportedly from Chassad village.
In another incident, two villagers from Ningchou village in Kamjong district were reportedly killed in an ambush on Saturday. They were identified as Ngachanso Ningshen and Leishishang Hungyo.
Ningshen is survived by his wife and two young children.
Meanwhile, a Nepali man was shot dead at Konjang village, between Mahadeva and Toloi, at around 6 am on Saturday. The location is approximately 12 kilometres west-northwest of Litan Police Station in Ukhrul district.
The deceased was identified as Sandip Rai, 30, a resident of Taphou Nepali Khul in Senapati district. He was travelling in a car when the shooting occurred.
Litan Police Station has registered a case in connection with the incident. Rai’s body was kept at the JNIMS mortuary, pending post-mortem examination, according to the information provided.
At least three Naga individuals also reportedly sustained minor injuries during the confrontation in the Chassad area.
Sources further reported that at least four houses and 20 shops were burnt amid the violence. Official confirmation of the total casualties, injuries and damage to property was awaited.
Four Liangmai Naga Village Guards Reportedly Killed
In a separate series of attacks along the Imphal–Tamenglong Road, four Liangmai Naga village guards were reportedly killed at Makui Ashang and Tapon villages early Saturday morning. Two other guards sustained bullet injuries.
According to villagers, drones were sighted over Makui Ashang at around 4 am to 4.30 am. The village guards were reportedly alerted and some went out to patrol the surrounding areas before suspected armed attackers ambushed them.
Two guards were reportedly killed at the spot, while another was found dead later in the afternoon. One victim was reportedly beheaded, with the attackers allegedly taking away his head.
The beheaded deceased was identified as Ajinpou Ringkangmai, about 52, son of Namhothiubou Ringkangmai of Makui village.
The two guards reportedly killed at the scene were identified as Machungamang Daimai, 23, son of Ajanbou Daimai of Thalon village, and Dibambou Ringkangmai, 48, son of Kingsubui Ringkangmai of Makui village.
The fourth victim, Ramningpou Gangmei, 53, son of Lungsangpou Gangmei of Luangchum village in Tamenglong district, was found dead in the afternoon.
At around 6.30 am, another village guard on duty at the entrance to Tapon Liangmai village was reportedly shot dead in a separate attack.
The two injured guards were identified as Nashon Pame, son of Mereikeu Pame of Inpa village, and Mathangambou Chawang, son of Adibou Chawang of Kadi village. They were taken to District Hospital, Senapati, in the afternoon and subsequently referred to a private hospital for surgery.
A report by Ukhrul Times also recorded the reported attacks at Makui Ashang and Tapon, including the killing of a Liangmai Naga man identified as Ajinpou Ringkangmai. The publication noted that the information available at the time remained unconfirmed.
Nemcha Kipgen Condemns Killings, Seeks Impartial Probe
Deputy Chief Minister Nemcha Kipgen condemned the reported killings and called for thorough and impartial investigations into the incidents, according to a report published by India Today NE on Saturday.
In a statement issued from Kangpokpi, Kipgen conveyed condolences to the bereaved families and urged all concerned to exercise restraint and refrain from retaliatory violence.
She called on the authorities to establish the facts, bring those responsible to justice and take steps to restore peace and normalcy in the affected areas. She also stressed that the protection of civilian lives must remain a priority.
The condemnation came amid conflicting allegations by different groups over responsibility for the violence. The claims regarding the involvement of armed groups and security personnel require independent verification, and the circumstances surrounding the individual incidents remain subject to investigation.
TNL Had Earlier Condemned Killings in Kamjong
The Tangkhul Naga Long (TNL) had earlier condemned the killing of four Tangkhul Naga civilians at Pilong, near the Indo-Myanmar border in Kamjong district, on September 24.
In a communiqué issued following the incident, the TNL alleged that a heavily armed group had crossed the international border from Myanmar and attacked civilians. It accused the Kuki National Army-Burma (KNA-B) and other armed elements of involvement, allegations that were not independently verified in the report.
The organisation also criticised the state government and border security forces, including the Assam Rifles, over what it described as inadequate protection for vulnerable border villages. It held the government responsible for the killings and called attention to repeated security concerns along the border.
The September incident had prompted the TNL to announce a 24-hour emergency shutdown across its jurisdiction.
The latest reported attacks along the Imphal–Tamenglong Road have added to concerns over the safety of Liangmai Naga settlements, several of which have faced repeated attacks and displacement in recent months. The latest casualty figures and the full extent of the damage remain subject to official confirmation.
