New Delhi: A man belonging to the Meitei community was shot dead by armed insurgents in Churachandpur district. The victim was identified as 28‑year‑old
Mayanglambam Rishikanta Singh. His chilling death was recorded on camera and circulated by the Kuki insurgents.
Man shot at point blank range
According to a report in moneycontrol, Singh was abducted from his home in Tuibong area on Wednesday. He was shot dead at point blank range by the militants in the vicinity of Natjang village, even as he kept begging for his life, with folded hands. The video had a caption which said, “no peace, no popular government.”
The insurgents shot the man using an AK rifle at point blank range and then made a chilling video, warning that no Meiteis should enter their area. The militants were reportedly from the United Kuki National Army (UNKA), a non-signatory to the Suspension of Operations (SoO) agreement.
This agreement was signed between the Union government, the Manipur government and dozens of Kuki-Zo militant groups.
Singh who hailed from Kakching Khunou in Kakching district, was married to a Kuki woman, Chingnu Haokip, hailing from Churachandpur. He returned to Churachandpur from Nepal on January 19, said sources. His wife was also abducted, but was later freed by the militants.
Sought permission from Kuki National Organisation, says victim’s wife
The man’s wife, Chingnu Haokip said that she had sought permission from the Kuki National Organisation (KNO) for her husband’s visit to the region. She further argued that she had also sought permission from the Tuibong district headquarters to allow her husband to see her for a few days.
The KNO however denied having given any such permission. They said, “It is hereby categorically clarified that neither did the organisation have any knowledge of the visit of Mayanglambam nor was it involved in the incident. The organisation further clarifies that under no circumstances is any spouse of our people from any other community ever subjected to such activity.”
Kukis and Meiteis do not venture into each other’s areas since theviolence broke out in May 2023. The conflict left the state deeply divided. So far 260 people have died and hundreds of others have been displaced due to the ethnic violence in Manipur. The state has been under President’s rule since February 2025.
