Three people from Tangkhul Naga and Kuki communities were killed in separate incidents of shooting between armed groups of rival tribes in Manipur’s Ukrul district, police said on Friday.
According to police, the first incident occurred in the early hours of Friday in Senakithi – a Tangkul Naga village in Ukhrul – where one person was killed in the first attack by suspected Kuki militants. Hours later, two armed Kuki community members were killed in a retaliatory shooting in Molam, a Kuki village, police said.
Local police confirmed the deaths, but said an investigation was underway to ascertain the reasons that led to the attacks.
A police officer from Litan Police Station, who requested anonymity, said, “Since early morning, the state police have not been able to reach the scene, but three militants died during the fighting. Border guard forces reached Molam village and recovered the two bodies belonging to the Kuki community.”
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The officer said a small number of villagers were injured in the exchange of fire, but he could not confirm the numbers.
One of the deceased, identified as Horshokmi Jamang (29), belonged to the Tangkhul Naga community, the Tangkhul Naga Long (TNL) Naga organisation, said in a statement.
“After continuous movement and disruption along Sirarakhong and Senakaithi (in Ukrul district) by armed Kuki cadres, Naga village guards were stationed near Sirarakhong and went out on patrol when they were ambushed by Kuki,” the statement said.
Meanwhile, the Mallam village authority claimed that Tangkul militants attacked the village at around 5.30am on Friday. Two injured villagers were later rescued. The statement added that gunmen attacked the same village earlier on April 19 and 21. “This act of violence reflects a worrying escalation. While previous incidents have contributed to escalating tensions, a direct attack on a civilian village represents a dangerous and unacceptable development.”
The Bongpi-Ihang Defense Committee, the Kuki body of Kangbukpi, said two Kuki volunteers – Littlelal Sitlho and Bawminlon Halao – were killed in the gunfight. The organization demanded immediate registration of an FIR and a time-bound investigation into the incident.
The Kohima-based Global Naga Forum alleged that Kuki militants under the command of the SoO were “seen loitering” in close proximity to Naga villages.
“Kuki villages, including Mongkut Chebu, Changkhai, Zalinpong, Songvil and Molin, are allegedly being used as bases of operations by these armed groups,” the forum said.
Tensions have been rising in the district and neighboring Kamjong district after suspected militants killed two Tangkul Naga civilians, including a retired army personnel, in an ambush of a civilian convoy at TM Kasom in Ukhrul district on April 18.
