Fresh violence in Manipur’s Kangpokpi district has once again exposed the fragile security situation in the state’s hill areas, more than three years after ethnic clashes first erupted in May 2023. The latest incident at Thingkhongjang Kuki Village on July 5 has sparked fresh outrage among Kuki-Zo communities and renewed concerns over the continuing cycle of retaliatory violence.
According to local accounts and statements issued by Kuki Inpi Manipur (KIM), the apex body of Kuki tribes, armed assailants attacked the remote village along the Jiribam–Imphal railway corridor at around 5 pm while residents were attending Sunday prayers at the local church. The attackers allegedly opened fire with sophisticated weapons, hurled explosives, and later set several houses on fire before fleeing the area.
Two civilians were injured in the attack. They were identified as 56-year-old Nengneichong Kipgen, who suffered a gunshot wound to the thigh, and eight-year-old Lamneingah Kipgen. Assam Rifles personnel evacuated both victims to a nearby camp for initial treatment before they were shifted to the Regional Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS) in Imphal.
KIM and the Kuki CSO Working Committee (KCWC) blamed cadres of the National Socialist Council of Nagalim-Isak-Muivah (NSCN-IM) and its alleged proxy, the Zeliangrong United Front-Kamson (ZUF-K), for the attack. The organisations described the incident as a “barbaric and cowardly” assault on civilians and raised questions over security arrangements, pointing to the presence of a nearby CRPF camp of the 86th Battalion.
“It is beyond comprehension that heavily armed militants could infiltrate the area, unleash violence upon civilians, torch homes, injure women and children, and withdraw without decisive intervention,” KIM stated.
Residents also alleged that CRPF personnel prevented Kuki-Zo villagers from neighbouring areas from reaching the village to provide assistance, leading to a brief confrontation.
In protest, the KCWC announced a 24-hour total shutdown on National Highway-37 (NH-37), disrupting vehicular movement. It also declared non-cooperation with the local CRPF battalion until accountability is established. The committee demanded immediate arrests of those responsible, medical assistance for the victims, stronger security measures, and a thorough and impartial investigation.
The latest violence comes against the backdrop of Manipur’s prolonged ethnic conflict, which began in May 2023 as a confrontation mainly between the Meitei and Kuki-Zo communities over issues including Scheduled Tribe status, land rights, and political representation. Since then, the conflict has evolved into a more complex multi-ethnic crisis involving Naga groups. More than 250-260 people have been killed and tens of thousands displaced, while the state remains informally divided along ethnic lines despite a heavy deployment of central security forces.
The shift towards Kuki-Naga tensions became more visible after the restoration of an elected government under Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh of the BJP in early 2026, following a period of President’s Rule. Earlier incidents in Kangpokpi and nearby districts, including the attack on Loibol Khullen in June 2026 that killed three Kukis and clashes involving Langka Naga Village, reflected continuing allegations and counter-allegations between communities. NSCN-IM has repeatedly denied involvement in attacks on Kuki civilians, while ZUF factions have also denied similar allegations in previous incidents.
Several factors continue to drive the conflict, including competition over land in the hill districts, control of resources, distrust stemming from the 2023 violence, and the activities of armed groups, including some operating under Suspension of Operations (SoO) agreements. The strategic importance of the Jiribam-Imphal railway corridor has added another layer of tension as infrastructure development overlaps with disputed territory.
Although central forces such as the CRPF and Assam Rifles have prevented large-scale clashes, localised attacks continue. Kuki organisations have renewed calls for an independent judicial inquiry, while Union Home Minister Amit Shah recently reviewed the security situation around July 4. However, the latest incident suggests continuing gaps in security coordination and intelligence.
