Suspected militants launched an armed assault on a hill village located in Manipur’s Kangpokpi district late Tuesday night, torching two houses and engaging in a prolonged gunbattle with security forces, officials confirmed on Wednesday.
Sophisticated Weapons Used in the Raid
The attackers, reportedly equipped with sophisticated weapons, targeted Chawangkining Naga village at approximately 10.30 pm, according to an official account. This violent escalation unfolded mere hours after two Kuki women were shot dead in Leisangphai village situated in the neighboring Tamenglong district, creating panic across the region.
Security Personnel Retaliate and Exchange Fire
Central Reserve Police Force personnel stationed in the vicinity swiftly responded to the distress call and exchanged gunfire with the suspected militants. Officials noted that the intermittent firing stretched on for nearly six hours straight, finally coming to a halt at around 4.30 am on Wednesday. While the security personnel successfully prevented the armed group from breaching the village, two wooden houses situated on the outer edges were reduced to ashes.
Political Figures Condemn the Violence
Senior Naga Peoples’ Front leader Awangbou Newmai strongly condemned both the killing of the two women and the arson attack at Chawangkining. In a public statement issued on Wednesday, Newmai asserted that such barbaric and senseless acts would not serve the interests of any community. Additionally, a Kuki MLA representing the Saikul constituency in Kangpokpi district denounced the murders, revealing that one of the deceased victims had recently finished her nursing graduation.
Victims Attacked While Gathering Firewood
The legislator alleged that cadres belonging to the NSCN-IM and ZUF-K were directly involved in the brutal killings, maintaining that the deaths could never be justified under any political ideology or grievance. The women were reportedly targeted while collecting firewood from an isolated field in the remote interior village of Leisangphai.
Identities of the Deceased and Missing Locals
Authorities identified the two deceased women as 60-year-old Chonga Sitlhou and 30-year-old Kimboi Singson. Meanwhile, local residents expressed grave concern, claiming that several other villagers remained untraced in the aftermath of the attack.
Background of Ethnic Unrest in the State
Manipur has been gripped by prolonged ethnic conflict since May 2023, primarily involving the valley-based Meitei and the hill-based Kuki communities. Official figures indicate that the ongoing strife has claimed at least 306 lives, left 49 individuals missing, and displaced thousands of residents from their homes.
