Two Kuki-Zo women shot dead in fresh Manipur violence, farmhouses torched

New Delhi: Two Kuki-Zo women were shot dead and several kutcha farmhouses were set on fire in Manipur’s Tamenglong district on Tuesday, two days after four people were killed in separate attacks in Tamenglong and neighbouring Noney district. Police have not identified the perpetrators of the latest killings and an investigation is underway.

The victims were identified in a statement issued by Saikul MLA Kimneo Hangshing as Kimjalhai Singson, a recent nursing graduate, and Phalneichong Sitlhou. According to officials and local accounts, the two women had gone to an isolated field near Leisangphai Kuki village to collect firewood and carry out agricultural work when they were attacked. Their bodies were later recovered with gunshot injuries.

Local residents also claimed that several villagers could not immediately be traced and that a few kutcha farmhouses outside the village had been burnt. There was no official confirmation on the number or whereabouts of those reported missing. Police subsequently sent the bodies for post-mortem examination.

Kuki organizations have alleged involvement of cadres linked to the National Socialist Council of Nagaland Isak-Muivah and Zeliangrong United Front-Kamson (ZUF-K). Police have not identified the perpetrators. Ukhrul Times reported that Saikul MLA Kimneo Hangshing referred to the allegation conditionally, saying any such involvement would have to be established through investigation.

Six killed in three days 

The latest killings followed two separate attacks on Sunday. At Tollen Kuki village in Tamenglong district, a woman was killed at her home while her husband and six year old son suffered bullet injuries. The husband later died while being taken for treatment.

In a separate attack later the same day, a woman and a man were shot dead at Longpi village in Noney district. No group had claimed responsibility for the Tollen attack when initial reports were filed.

The Manipur home minister, Govindas Konthoujam, subsequently directed authorities to establish the facts and identify those responsible, saying violence against civilians would be dealt with under the law.

Kuki Inpi Manipur condemned the latest killings and said the bodies of the two women would not be claimed until justice was served. Thadou Inpi Manipur separately called on the Centre and the state government to strengthen civilian protection, disarm armed groups and ensure those responsible for the recent killings are prosecuted.

Police said those responsible for Tuesday’s killings remain unidentified and that efforts are underway to apprehend them. No official statement has so far established the motive or identified a group behind the attack.

The fresh violence comes amid continuing ethnic and intercommunity tensions in Manipur, where clashes and attacks have persisted in vulnerable hill and valley areas since May 2023 despite periods of relative calm and repeated security and peace efforts.