Three Killed in Fresh Manipur Clashes; Tribal Body Calls 24-Hour Shutdown in Kangpokpi

Three people, including a woman, were killed in fresh clashes involving armed groups in Manipur’s Kamjong and Ukhrul districts over the past 24 hours, while violence also spread to parts of Kangpokpi district, officials said on Saturday. Amid escalating tensions, the Committee on Tribal Unity (CoTU) announced a 24-hour shutdown across Kangpokpi district from 6 pm on Saturday.

Reports also emerged of houses being torched in the violence. Although claims circulated that Kamjong police station had been set on fire, police dismissed reports and videos on social media suggesting that the police station was burnt.

According to a police official, a 23-year-old man and a 42-year-old woman were killed in Chassad village in Kamjong district. The woman, identified as Domkhonei Touthang, a mother of five, sustained a gunshot wound near her neck on Friday night and died shortly afterwards.

Her death reportedly triggered an exchange of fire between armed Kuki and Naga groups, which continued into Saturday morning. The 23-year-old man, identified as Michael Ngamminlen Haokip, was killed in the ensuing clashes. Ten houses were also reportedly burnt during the violence.

In a separate incident in Ukhrul district, a 40-year-old man identified as Sandeep Rai was shot dead near Chepu Yaolen after suspected militants allegedly opened fire on his vehicle. Rai, who belonged to the Nepali community, died inside the car he was driving, the police official said.

A heavy exchange of fire between armed groups was also reported at Makui Ashang and Tapon along the IT Road in Kangpokpi district. Separately, houses belonging to Tangkhul Naga villagers were reportedly set ablaze by unidentified persons during the intervening night of Friday and Saturday. Injuries on both sides were also reported, though official confirmation was awaited.

Following the violence in Chassad, the Kamjong district administration imposed prohibitory restrictions within a 400-metre radius of Chassad Police Gate Junction to prevent further escalation and maintain law and order.

The District Magistrate issued the order under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), prohibiting gatherings of five or more people, the carrying of firearms and other potentially dangerous objects, and movement within the restricted area. Security personnel, magistrates on duty and staff engaged in essential services were exempted.

Former Manipur Chief Minister N. Biren Singh, in a post on X, claimed that seven people had been killed in violent incidents across different parts of the state in a single day. He referred to an alleged attack by suspected Myanmar-based militants on Ningchou village in Kamjong district, violence along Makui IT Road and the killings in Chassad.

“Even a police station in Kamjong has reportedly been burnt down. Further, two Nagas from Makui Ashang village in Kangpokpi district have also been reported missing,” Singh said.

He also referred to Rai’s killing in an alleged ambush by Kuki Revolutionary Army (KRA) cadres at Yolen, near TM Kasom Litan in Ukhrul district. Describing the incidents as evidence of violence spreading across communities, Singh questioned the authorities’ response and called for the recovery of illegally held weapons, decisive action against armed militant groups and stronger security along the India-Myanmar border.

He urged state and central security forces to act without further delay.

Kuki organisations, meanwhile, offered a different account of the violence in Chassad. According to these groups, the incident began when women protested against the alleged arrest and detention of village volunteers.

The Kuki Human Rights Forum (KHRF) claimed that Touthang was shot while participating in the protest and died on Friday night. Several Kuki organisations, including the KHRF, the Kuki Students’ Organisation and the Kuki CSO Working Committee, Ukhrul, condemned her killing and demanded the strongest action against security personnel allegedly responsible.

Amid the escalating tensions, CoTU announced a 24-hour total shutdown across Kangpokpi district beginning at 6 pm on Saturday.

In a statement, the organisation cited reported attacks in Chassad in Kamjong district, Yaolen in Ukhrul district and along the IT Road in Kangpokpi. It warned that the incidents posed a serious threat to civilian lives and security, adding that precautionary measures were needed to protect vulnerable areas and prevent further escalation.

More than 40 people have reportedly been killed and numerous houses torched since clashes between Kuki and Naga communities broke out in February this year. The violence has largely affected Ukhrul, Kamjong, Kangpokpi, Tamenglong and Noney districts, as well as parts of Senapati district.