Fresh Ethnic Clashes Spark Fresh Unrest in Manipur Following Killings of Two Women
Photo: Collected
Fresh violence in India's northeastern hill state of Manipur has heightened regional tensions following the killings of two Kuki women by suspected Naga insurgents in Tamenglong district.
The victims, identified as 60-year-old Chonga Sitlhou and 30-year-old Kimboi Singon, were shot dead on Tuesday while collecting firewood in Leishangphai village. Local residents report that several other villagers remain missing. In response to the killings, multiple organizations, including Kuki Inpi Manipur, have announced they will refuse to accept the bodies of the victims until justice is served.
The latest unrest marks a shift toward inter-ethnic conflict between the Naga and Kuki communities, following major clashes in 2023 between the Meitei and Kuki communities that left over 300 dead and more than 50,000 displaced. Census operations in the state had already been suspended due to protests demanding a National Register of Citizens.
Hours after Tuesday's killings, armed assailants attacked a Naga village in Chawangkining, Kangpokpi district, setting two homes on fire late Tuesday night. Central Reserve Police Force personnel, stationed in the area prior to the incident, engaged in gunfights with the attackers across multiple rounds from 10:30 PM until 4:30 AM.
This violence follows a string of recent attacks in the region. On September 13, insurgents attacked a Kuki couple at their home in Tolen village, Tamenglong district, killing both and severely injuring their child. On the same day, a man and a woman were shot dead by insurgents in Longpi village, Noney district.
Awangbo Newmai, a senior leader and legislator of the Naga Peoples Front, strongly condemned the ongoing violence, stating in a release that such barbaric and senseless acts will bring no positive outcome for any community.
