Fresh violence has flared up in Manipur once again. In Noney district, three individuals belonging to the Kuki community lost their lives following heavy firing between two armed groups in a forested hill village. Meanwhile, in Kangpokpi district, security forces recovered the bodies of two youths on Sunday who had been missing since October 28.
Gunfire in Noney District
According to police officials, intermittent heavy firing began on Saturday morning at Kekru Naga village in Noney district and continued for several hours across the surrounding hilly terrain.
The deceased have been identified as Thanglensang Singson, Thangkhosei Haokip, and Lamminsang Kipgen. All three were residents of interior areas in Henglep and Thanlon within Churachandpur district.
Kuki civil society organizations stated that the three deceased were serving as village defense volunteers.
The apex Kuki body, Kuki Inpi Manipur (KIM), strongly condemned the killings and pointed responsibility toward Naga insurgent groups. The organization demanded immediate strict action, accountability, and justice from the government.
Police reported that strict security arrangements and heightened patrolling have been deployed across the area.
Two Bodies Recovered in Kangpokpi
Security forces recovered the bodies of two individuals during a joint search operation on Sunday after they went missing on October 28.
According to the police, the bodies were located during search sweeps along the eastern sector of National Highway-2 near SP Road.
The Committee on Tribal Unity (COTU) had previously called for a 48-hour shutdown demanding the safe and unconditional release of the missing youths. The shutdown began at 5:00 PM on October 29 and was scheduled to conclude at 5:00 PM on October 31; however, COTU extended the shutdown and highway blockades into the following day.
COTU identified the missing individuals as Thangginlun Chongloi and Paoginlal Hangsing, both residents of Tafoi village. Joint teams of Manipur Police, CRPF, and Assam Rifles had executed multiple search drives prior to the recovery.
Note: Allegations regarding the perpetrators behind the Noney killings reflect claims made by KIM. Police investigations remain ongoing.
