New Delhi: At least 10 people, including Nagas, Kukis and a Gorkha farmer, were killed in fresh violence across three Manipur districts from Friday night
to Saturday morning. Armed attacks and intense gunfights were reported in Kamjong, Ukhrul and Kangpokpi, while several houses and shops were set on fire.
The violence escalated after Domkhonei Touthang, a 42-year-old Kuki woman and mother of five, was killed at Chassad village in Kamjong on Friday night.
She was among those protesting the dismantling of village guard posts by joint teams of police, the Indian Reserve Battalion and the Border Security Force. Police sources said she was caught in crossfire between security forces and militants. She suffered bullet injuries to her leg and chest and died around 10 pm.
Kuki-Zo groups blamed security forces and the NSCN (IM) for her death. Authorities did not identify those responsible for the attacks.
Chassad attack fuels tension
By early Saturday, unidentified groups from the Kuki and Naga communities were setting fire to houses and shops in each other’s areas amid gunfights.
At Chassad, 22-year-old Michael Ngamminlen Haokip was killed in an attack that began around 4.30 am. Several Kuki houses were burnt. The Kuki CSO Working Committee alleged that the NSCN (IM) carried out the attack.
District authorities imposed prohibitory orders around the Chassad police gate junction, banning gatherings of five or more people. An indefinite shutdown was also called on NH-202.
Two killed in Ningchou
Around 9.30 am on Saturday, two Naga civilians were killed at Ningchou village in Kamjong, near the India-Myanmar border, in an attack attributed to suspected Kuki militants.
The victims were identified as Ngachanso Ningshen, 35, and Leishishan Leishadang, 45.
Naga and Kuki civil society groups accused militant outfits operating in Manipur and across the Myanmar border of orchestrating the killings.
Four village defenders killed
Around the same time, armed men allegedly belonging to Kuki groups under the Suspension of Operations agreement surrounded Makui Asang, a Liangmai Naga village in Kangpokpi, and opened heavy fire.
Naga village defenders retaliated with licensed firearms and single-barrel guns. Four defenders were killed. They were identified as Ajinpou Ringkangmai, Daimai Machungammamg, Robert and D Ringkangmai. According to the account, Ajinpou Ringkangmai was beheaded.
In Ukhrul district, unidentified gunmen shot dead Sandeep Rai, a 40-year-old Gorkha farmer, around 6 am while he was driving along the Mahadev-Toloi-Pfutsero road.
CM meets PM Modi
At least 22 Nagas and 31 Kukis have been killed since Naga-Kuki clashes began in February, according to the report.
Chief Minister Y Khemchand Singh, who met Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi, said Modi assured the state government of all possible help to restore peace and normalcy.
Former chief minister N Biren Singh expressed concern over the violence and called for the recovery of illegally held weapons, operations against armed militant groups and stronger security along the India-Myanmar border.
