Fresh violence in Manipur’s Kangpokpi district left three civilians dead on Friday morning. The flare-up also saw several homes damaged, reigniting the volatile security situation in the conflict-torn state.
An exchange of gunfire was reported at around 4:30 am at Loibol Khullen village, located in the New Keithelmanbi area of Kangpokpi district. Authorities have not officially confirmed the circumstances of the clash or the identities of the groups involved.
The victims have been identified as Letkhongam Haokip, his wife Tinmary Haokip, and Jangminlal Haokip, the son of Seikhohao Haokip.
According to residents, multiple houses belonging to members of the Kuki community were set ablaze during the violence.
Kuki Inpi Manipur (KIM), the apex body of Kuki-Zo tribes in the state, said in a statement that seven houses were destroyed and extensive damage was caused to civilian property.
KIM further alleged that armed cadres of the National Socialist Council of Nagalim-Isak Muivah (NSCN-IM) and a faction of the Zeliangrong United Front (ZUF-K) were responsible for the attack. The organisation described the incident as a targeted assault on civilians and strongly condemned the killings.
While extending condolences to the families of the victims, KIM urged the authorities to take swift action against those responsible. The organisation also expressed solidarity with residents who lost their homes and property in the violence.
KIM called on the Government of India and security agencies to launch an immediate investigation into the incident. "The perpetrators of this heinous crime must be held fully accountable," the statement read.
In a separate statement, the KSO South West Sadar Hills accused Naga insurgent groups of targeting Kuki ancestral areas, alleging that militants from VBIG, ZUF-Kamson, and NSCN (IM) carried out the attack.
This latest incident comes against the backdrop of over three years of ethnic conflict in Manipur. Triggered in May 2023 by protests over the Meitei community's demand for Scheduled Tribe status, the initial clashes between the Meitei and Kuki-Zo communities quickly escalated into widespread violence, arson, and mass displacement across the state.
More than 250 people were killed, and around 60,000 people were displaced since the unrest erupted in 2023.
