Manipur Violence Leaves at Least Nine Dead, 14 Houses Torched as Clashes Spread Across Hill Districts

IMPHAL: A renewed bout of violence has claimed at least nine lives in Manipur’s hill districts, with reports of attacks on village guards, an ambush targeting a motorist and fires destroying residential properties.

The incidents occurred over a period of roughly 24 hours from Friday night, adding to concerns over security in the affected areas.

Reports published on Sunday put the death toll at nine, although the precise figure had not been officially confirmed by Manipur Police in an earlier account.

The reported victims included six members of the Naga community, two people from the Kuki community and a man of Nepali origin. Around 14 houses were also reported to have been set on fire.

The latest cycle of violence began in Chassad village in Kamjong district, where 42-year-old Domkhonei Touthang, a Kuki woman, died during an alleged exchange of gunfire involving armed groups and security personnel.

Police said security forces had entered the village to remove suspected illegal bunkers when unidentified gunmen opened fire.

The team reportedly included personnel from Manipur Police, the India Reserve Battalion and the Border Security Force.

Local women were said to have tried to obstruct the operation before the shooting began.

The confrontation was followed by further unrest, including the burning of homes belonging to Naga and Kuki families.

Local accounts linked the disturbance to protests over the alleged detention of Chassad Village Volunteers.

A separate claim by the Kuki Women Union said a 23-year-old man, Michael Ngamminlen Haokip, had also been shot dead in the area. That allegation has not been independently verified.

The situation remained volatile on Saturday morning.

Authorities imposed restrictions around Chassad police station after another bout of firing, reportedly triggered by an attempt to set the premises on fire.

Elsewhere in Kamjong district, two Naga village guards, Ngachanso Ningshen, 30, and Leishishan Hungyo, 50, were reported killed at Ningchou Chingdong village.

Officials said the possibility of involvement by armed groups operating from across the border had been raised, but no confirmation was available.

The violence also reached Makui village, where three Naga village guards — Machungammamg, Ajinpou Ringkangmai and Robart — were reportedly killed in an attack early Saturday.

Villagers alleged that Ringkangmai had been beheaded, while images said to relate to the incident circulated on social media. Continuing gunfire reportedly prevented security personnel from reaching the site at the time the information was received.

In neighbouring Kangpokpi district, an ambush near Tapon village left another Naga village volunteer, 35-year-old Machungwangbou, dead.

Two men, Nahason, 29, and Mathangambou, 30, suffered injuries and were taken to Senapati for medical treatment.

Reports said the exchange of fire continued until around noon. Allegations that suspected Kuki militants carried out the attack had not been independently established.

A separate attack on National Highway 202 near Konjang village in Ukhrul district killed 30-year-old Sandeep Rai, who was travelling by car.

Police said unidentified armed men ambushed his vehicle at approximately 5.30 am. The motive for the killing and the identities of those responsible remained unknown.

Chief Minister discusses peace efforts with PM Modi.

Against the backdrop of the fresh bloodshed, Chief Minister Y Khemchand Singh met Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi to discuss the state’s efforts to bring the situation under control.

Singh outlined the restoration of transport links, including bus services connecting Imphal with Dimapur and Guwahati.

He also referred to the movement of goods vehicles on National Highway 37, which connects Imphal with Silchar, and National Highway 2, linking Imphal and Dimapur.

The Chief Minister also raised a proposal to upgrade the Regional Institute of Medical Sciences in Imphal to the status of an All India Institute of Medical Sciences.

Modi acknowledged the state government’s initiatives and assured Singh that the Centre would extend all possible assistance in restoring peace and normalcy.

The latest violence has once again placed the security situation in Manipur’s hill districts under scrutiny.

With accounts of several incidents still awaiting official clarification, establishing the circumstances of each killing and preventing further retaliatory attacks remain urgent challenges for the authorities.