Three Kuki villagers killed in fresh Kangpokpi attack
Unidentified gunmen killed three Kuki villagers and injured four others in Manipur's Kangpokpi district, days after a similar attack on Nagas.
Three Kuki villagers, including two women, were killed and four others injured in a fresh attack in Manipur's Kangpokpi district on Monday. The incident occurred around 9:30 am at N. Teikhang Kuki village, near the IT Road, when suspected members of two Naga extremist groups opened fire and set several houses ablaze.
The deceased were identified as Tingneichin Lhouvum (40), Hoineineng Lhoujem (21), and Lamtinthang Lhoujem (36). Two of the injured were women.
The attack took place close to Makui Ashang village, where four Liangmai Naga civilians were killed on Thursday. Kuki-Zo organisations have blamed the latest violence on the National Socialist Council of Nagaland (Isak-Muivah) and the Zeliangrong United Front (Kamson). Neither group had issued a response at the time of reporting.
The Twilang Area CSO Working Committee condemned the killings, calling the targeting of unarmed civilians and the burning of homes an act of "extreme cowardice, savagery, and moral bankruptcy." The committee said no political objective or territorial claim could justify such brutality.
The Kuki Students' Organisation Sadar Hills also expressed outrage, questioning why such groups were allowed to operate with impunity and pointing to a systemic failure of security forces.
Manipur has witnessed recurring ethnic violence since May 2023, with clashes between Kuki-Zo and Meitei communities. Since February, the conflict has also spread to the hills, involving Kuki-Zo and Naga groups, leading to multiple deaths and the torching of homes.