Five killed as fresh ethnic violence flares in Manipur
Five Kuki men were killed in two separate incidents in Manipur over the weekend of 31 October to 1 November, police said, in a fresh flare-up of ethnic violence in the state.
Five men from the Kuki community were killed in two separate incidents in Manipur over the weekend, Manipur Police said, as fresh ethnic violence flared in the conflict-hit state and security was stepped up.
What happened over the weekend
Five men from the Kuki community were killed in two separate incidents in Manipur over the weekend of 31 October to 1 November, according to Manipur Police statements, in a fresh flare-up of ethnic violence in the state.
Three Kuki-Zo men were killed on Saturday in an exchange of gunfire involving unidentified armed groups at Kekru Naga village in Noney district, The Indian Express reported, and police stepped up security in the area afterwards. Police described the other side in the exchange as unidentified armed miscreants and did not name those responsible.
The bodies of two other Kuki men, who had gone missing earlier in the week, were recovered on Sunday during a joint search operation involving Manipur Police, the CRPF, CoBRA, the Assam Rifles and the Rapid Action Force. The two were identified in reports as Paoginlal Hangshing, 20, and Tinginlun Chongloi, 21, who had gone missing from Taphou Kuki village in Senapati district on 28 October.
Blame, denial and calls for investigation
The Kuki Inpi Manipur, the community's apex body, alleged that the killings involved the NSCN-IM and ZUF(K) Naga armed groups. Those allegations have not been independently verified, and police themselves did not name any group as responsible.
The NSCN-IM denied involvement, according to Deccan Herald, which noted the group has been blamed for similar incidents in the past. The Kuki Human Rights Forum condemned the killings and demanded a proper investigation and action against the Naga armed groups allegedly involved.
Police said search operations were continuing to identify those responsible and establish the circumstances of the deaths, while security was beefed up in Naga- and Kuki-dominated areas amid fears of further escalation.
Why tensions are running high
The killings come amid a fresh round of Naga-Kuki tension that, according to Deccan Herald, has already claimed more than 60 lives since February this year.
At the same time, Meitei and Naga organisations have intensified their agitation, holding large rallies in Imphal and in Naga-dominated districts demanding action against Kuki armed groups, Deccan Herald reported.
The violence sits within Manipur's wider ethnic conflict, which began in May 2023, and has kept the state under a heavy security presence ever since.
Editorial disclosure
This article was researched with AI assistance and reviewed by the publisher before publication. Report factual errors through our contact page.
Frequently asked questions
How many people were killed in Manipur, and where?
Five Kuki men were killed in two incidents: three in a gunfight at Kekru Naga village in Noney district on Saturday, and two whose bodies were recovered on Sunday after they went missing earlier in the week.
Who has been blamed for the killings?
The Kuki Inpi Manipur alleged the involvement of the NSCN-IM and ZUF(K) groups, but those allegations have not been independently verified, police did not name those responsible, and the NSCN-IM denied involvement.
What is the wider background?
Manipur has seen prolonged ethnic unrest since May 2023, and the latest deaths come amid a fresh round of Naga-Kuki tension that has claimed more than 60 lives since February this year, according to Deccan Herald.