An attack on a Kuki village in the Kangpokpi district of Manipur resulted in the deaths of three Kuki civilians and injuries to four others. This is the second violent attack reported along the Imphal-Tamenglong road within a week.
On Monday, at least three persons from the Kuki community were killed and four injured in an alleged attack by an armed group from the Naga community along the Imphal-Tamenglong road in Manipur's Kangpokpi district. The victims were identified as Tingneichin Lhouvum (40), Lamtinthang Lhoujem (36) and Hoineineng Lhoujem (21).
According to a senior police official, this is the second violent attack reported along the Imphal-Tamenglong road within a week. On Thursday, four Naga civilians were killed in an ambush by unidentified gunmen.
The three persons who died were residents of the Kuki village of Heirangkhong. The injured are receiving medical treatment at the district hospital.
Tensions between the Kukis and Nagas escalated in Manipur in February after an alleged assault involving members of the Tangkhul Naga and the Kuki-Zo communities in the Ukhrul district. This followed ethnic clashes that broke out in May 2023 between the Meitei and Kuki-Zo-Hmar communities.
Since February, at least 34 persons have died in the Kuki-Naga conflict, with over 59,000 displaced persons. The Imphal-Tamenglong road is a crucial route in the area, with Kuki and Naga communities living in close proximity in villages along it.
On Monday, nine Naga MLAs, including Deputy Chief Minister Losii Dikho, wrote to Union Home Minister Amit Shah seeking his ‘immediate intervention’ to restore normalcy in Manipur. They demanded the immediate arrest of Kuki-Zo leaders who have ‘publicly claimed responsibility’ for killing Naga civilians.
In response to these attacks, the Union government has deferred the Census 2027 exercise in Manipur. The decision was taken at a meeting chaired by Union Home Minister Amit Shah.
Source:
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