Imphal: At least 11 people, including a woman, were killed and several others injured in fresh violence across parts of Manipur since Friday evening, with attacks reported in Kamjong, Kangpokpi and Ukhrul districts.
Tensions initially erupted in the Kuki-majority Chassad area following an alleged ambush on Indian Reserve Battalion (IRB) personnel deployed in Kamjong on Friday evening. The incident reportedly triggered a scuffle between security personnel and suspected Kuki armed group members.
Subsequently, a group of protesters, mostly women, allegedly attempted to storm the IRB personnel’s temporary station at Chassad Primary School, demanding the release of youths detained by security forces. During the ensuing confrontation, a woman identified as Domkhonei Touthang, 42, a resident of Chassad, was reportedly caught in the crossfire. She later succumbed to her injuries on Friday night.
Firing reportedly continued on Saturday, leaving three suspected cadres of the Kuki National Army (Burma) dead. One of the deceased was identified as Michael Ngamminlen Haokip, 22, from the Chassad area.
Several houses belonging to Kuki and Tangkhul families in Chassad and the Komjong market area were also reportedly burnt down.
Meanwhile, Ningchau village, located around 7 km from the Kamjong district headquarters near Border Pillar No. 102, was reportedly attacked by suspected KNA(B) cadres on Saturday. Two villagers, identified as Ngachanso Ningshen, son of Timothy Ningshen, and Leishishang Leishadang, son of late Rev. Khashim Leishadang, were allegedly shot dead.
Leishishang Leishadang is reportedly the village secretary, while Ningshen was recently married.
In a separate incident in Kangpokpi district, four villagers from Makui Asang Liangmai Naga village were killed in a pre-dawn attack, while several others sustained injuries.
The deceased were identified as Ajinpou Ringkangmai; Machungamang Daimai, son of Ajanbou Daimai; Dibambou Ringkangmai, son of Kingsubui Ringkangmai; and Kawjinbou Ringkangmai, son of Namhothiu Ringkangmai.
A video widely circulated on social media purportedly showed suspected Kuki armed militants carrying assault rifles, with a severed human head visible on the ground. Family members and residents identified the victim as Ajinpou Ringkangmai and alleged that the perpetrators were still in possession of his head.
In another incident, Sandeep Rai, a member of the Gorkha community, was reportedly killed in an ambush along the Mahadev-Tolloi road in the Chepu Yaolen forest cultivation area of Ukhrul district, which is inhabited by the Kuki community.
The reported killings across the three districts have heightened tensions in the state, with more than 10 people reportedly killed in a single day. While the situation was stated to be under control, tensions remained high in the hill districts.