Two Kuki women were shot dead by “unidentified gunmen,” and several farmhouses were set ablaze in a fresh attack in Manipur’s Tamenglong district on Tuesday, officials said. Two days earlier, four people were killed in separate incidents of violence in Namenglong and Noney districts.
The victims have been identified as Phalneichong alias Chonga Sitlhou (78) and Kimjalhing alias Kimneo Singson (28). According to the print, Sitlhou was collecting firewood when she attacked while Singson was returning home.
Their lifeless bodies with gunshot wounds were discovered in the field and were later recovered by villagers, officials said. Alongside this, several villagers were also reported missing.
Hours after the attack at 10:30 pm, attacks were launched in Chawangkining Naga village in Kangpokpi district. At least two houses were burnt in it while exchanging fire with security forces.
“The KZC views these killings, reportedly involving the [National Socialist Council of Nagalim (Isak-Muivah)] NSCN-IM and the [Zeliangrong United Front (Kamson)] ZUF-K, as part of an escalating pattern of attacks against Kuki-Zo civilians in Manipur. The continued targeting of civilians raises serious concerns about attempts to terrorize and drive Kuki-Zo communities from their settlements,” condemning the attack, the Kuki-Zo Council (KZC) said.
Earlier to this attack, on 27 August, as reported by the Print, alleged Kuki armed groups had killed four Naga civilians in the Kuki-majority Kangpoki district.
The conflict, which started in May 2023, has claimed at least 306 people, and 49 remain missing, while thousands have been displaced.
The latest violence in Leisang has deepened fears among villagers along the Jiribam-Tamenglong belt, particularly those who have to travel to isolated agricultural fields for their livelihoods.
With Leisang now added to the sequence of attacks in Tollen and Longpi, Kuki-Zo civil society organizations are expected to step up demands for security reinforcement, protection of vulnerable villages, a time-bound investigation, and action against those responsible for the killings.
