Three people were killed and seven houses were reduced to ashes in a suspected militant attack on Loybul Khulin village in Manipur’s Kangpokpi district early on Friday, according to Kuki Inpi Manipur, the apex body representing the Kuki Zu tribes in the state.
In a statement issued on June 5, KIM claimed that heavily armed cadres of the NSCN-IM and its proxy group ZUF (K) attacked the village at around 4 am. The organization said that the attack led to the death of three civilians, the destruction of seven homes, and severe damage to civilian property.
The deceased have been identified as Letkhongam Hokip, his wife Tinmari Hokip and Jangminlal Hokip, all residents of Loybul Khulin. According to a separate statement issued by the Kuki Students Organization (KSO), South West Sadar Hills, the victims are aged 34, 30 and 34 years respectively.
The police have not yet commented on the incident.
Kim condemns the “barbaric” attack.
Kim condemned the incident and described the attack as a “barbaric act of violence” against unarmed civilians and said that the deliberate killing of innocent people and the destruction of homes constitutes a serious violation of human dignity and basic human rights.
The organization offered its condolences to the bereaved families and expressed its solidarity with residents affected by the violence, saying the attack caused “immeasurable grief” to the Kuki-zo community.
Demand investigation and security procedures
Kim called on the government of India and security agencies to launch an immediate investigation into the incident, arrest those responsible, and ensure justice is done without delay. He also urged the authorities to strengthen security in vulnerable villages to prevent further attacks on civilians.
“The perpetrators of this heinous crime must be held fully accountable,” the organization said, adding that it would not be responsible for any consequences resulting from the attack on the Kuki-Zu community.
New violence amid long-standing ethnic conflict
The incident comes against the backdrop of more than three years of ethnic tensions and violence in Manipur. The conflict began in May 2023 after clashes between the Meitei and Kuki-Zo communities following protests over the Meitei community’s claim to Scheduled Tribe status. Violence quickly spread across the state, leading to widespread killings, arson and displacement.
According to various official and media estimates cited over the course of the conflict, more than 250 people have been killed and around 60,000 displaced since the outbreak of unrest in May 2023. Large numbers of people from both communities continue to live in relief camps, while many areas remain divided along ethnic lines.
Although the intensity of violence has decreased compared to the first months of the conflict, sporadic armed attacks, ambushes and clashes are still reported from parts of Kangpokpi, Imphal East, Churachandpur and other areas.
No response from the mentioned groups
Separately, KSO South West Sadar Hills claimed that militants belonging to VBIG, ZUF-Kamson and NSCN (IM) were involved in the attack and accused Naga insurgent groups of targeting Kuki ancestral areas.
There was no immediate response from NSCN-IM, ZUF(K) or the other groups mentioned in the statements.
