A sudden outbreak of armed confrontation in Manipur's Kamjong district has claimed the life of a local resident and triggered severe administrative curbs. Domkhonei Touthang, a mother of five children, died shortly after being struck near the neck by a bullet in Chassad village on Friday night. The fatal shooting occurred while she was taking part in an agitation organised by women to oppose the alleged arrest and custody of local village volunteers, setting off deep anger across the locality.
Sustained gunfire and property damage rock Chassad
The confrontation intensified late on Friday when security contingents stationed in the area came under attack from suspected armed Kuki elements. Personnel returned fire, setting off an exchange of rounds that dragged on well into Saturday morning. Several individuals from both sides sustained injuries during the crossfire, while four residential structures were set ablaze amid the chaos. Administrative authorities are yet to issue a definitive verification regarding the precise casualty figures and total structural destruction.
Arson attacks on Tangkhul Naga homes intensify regional unease
The deadly confrontation followed an earlier incident during the intervening night of October 9 and 10, when unidentified perpetrators torched houses belonging to Tangkhul Naga villagers. This wave of arson had already pushed community relations on edge before the Friday night escalation. Reacting to Touthang's death, several community bodies, including the Kuki Human Rights Forum, the Kuki Students' Organisation, and the Kuki CSO Working Committee based in Ukhrul, denounced the killing and pressed for stringent action against the security personnel allegedly involved.
District administration clamps Section 163 around Chassad gate
In a bid to halt further escalation and maintain public peace, the Kamjong District Magistrate promulgated prohibitive orders under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita. The restrictive perimeter spans a 400-metre radius surrounding the Chassad Police Gate Junction. Under this decree, gatherings of five or more individuals, the carrying of firearms or potentially hazardous items, and routine public movement within the demarcation stand strictly barred.
Key exemptions granted under security guidelines
Official guidelines note that on-duty security forces, designated magistrates, and staff delivering essential civilian services are fully exempt from the movement ban. Furthermore, individuals carrying authorised permits issued directly by either the District Magistrate or the Superintendent of Police of Kamjong district are permitted through the cordon. The resurgence of hostilities highlights the ongoing vulnerability of peace efforts across the state as community frictions trigger recurrent instability.
