Violence erupted in Manipur again after 3 members of Kuki community killed

Officials stated that three members of the Kuki community were killed by armed miscreants in Manipur’s Ukhrul district on Friday morning.

According to authorities, the event occurred at 4:30 a.m. at Thouwai Kuki, a village inhabited by Kuki tribals located around 47 kilometers from Ukhrul town, the district’s headquarters, which is controlled by Tangkhuls, a Naga tribe.

“According to our information, a group of armed miscreants approached the village from the hills located to the east of the village and started firing at village guards. Three people from the village have been killed in the incident. There are no reports of any injuries,” said N Vashum, superintendent of police (SP), Ukhrul, confirmed.

Following the event, the SP stated that security measures have been strengthened and that joint operations by state police and the Indian Army are ongoing to apprehend those responsible.

On August 5, five people, three Meiteis and two Kukis, were killed in separate shootings between the two communities in the districts of Bishnupur and Churachandpur.

Clashes erupted in Manipur on May 3 in Churachandpur town when Kuki organizations called for protests against a proposed change to the state’s reservation matrix that would grant the Meitei people scheduled tribal (ST) status.

Violence swiftly enveloped the state, displacing tens of thousands of people who fled burning houses and neighborhoods into jungles, frequently across state lines. The riots have claimed over 160 deaths and displaced over 50,000 people. Meiteis make up roughly 53% of the state’s population, while Kukis make up about 16%.