Fresh clashes erupted in Kamjong and Ukhrul districts of Manipur killing three people, including a 42-year-old woman over the 24 hours leading up to Saturday, October 10, as gunfire spread to Kangpokpi and the Committee on Tribal Unity announced a 24-hour shutdown to address escalating security concerns.
Key Takeaways
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Three people, including a woman, died in fresh violence in Manipur’s Kamjong and Ukhrul districts, while armed groups exchanged fire in Kangpokpi.
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The Committee on Tribal Unity announced a 24-hour shutdown across Kangpokpi district from 6 p.m. Saturday amid rising tensions.
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The Kamjong administration imposed restrictions near Chassad, while conflicting accounts emerged over the circumstances surrounding the violence.
Fresh violence in Kamjong, Ukhrul and Kangpokpi districts of Manipur has heightened security concerns, with three people reportedly killed, several houses torched and armed groups exchanging gunfire.
The Committee on Tribal Unity (CoTU) has called a 24-hour shutdown across Kangpokpi district from 6 p.m. on Saturday, while the Kamjong administration has imposed prohibitory restrictions around Chassad Police Gate Junction.
Police have also rejected social media reports claiming that armed groups set fire to the Kamjong police station. Meanwhile, former Chief Minister N. Biren Singh has raised concerns over the security situation, while Kuki organisations have alleged that security personnel shot a woman during a protest in Chassad.
Three Killed in Kamjong and Ukhrul Clashes
A 42-year-old woman and a 23-year-old man died during violence in Chassad village in Kamjong district, a police official said. Although Kamjong has a Kuki-majority population, Chassad is predominantly inhabited by the Naga community.
The woman, identified as Domkhonei Touthang, a mother of five, sustained a gunshot wound near her neck on Friday night and died within minutes, according to the official.
Her death reportedly triggered an exchange of fire between armed Kuki and Naga groups.
The gunfight continued until Saturday morning and claimed the life of Michael Ngamminlen Haokip, 23. Reports also indicated that 10 houses were burnt during the violence.
In a separate incident in Ukhrul district, suspected militants allegedly opened fire on a vehicle near Chepu Yaolen, killing its driver, Sandeep Rai, 40. Rai, who belonged to the Nepali community, died inside his car, the police official said.
Armed groups also reportedly exchanged heavy gunfire at Makui Ashang and Tapon along the IT Road in Kangpokpi district.
Separately, unidentified persons allegedly set fire to houses belonging to Tangkhul Naga villagers during the night between Friday and Saturday. Reports of injuries on both sides emerged, although official confirmation remained pending.
Restrictions Imposed Around Chassad
The Kamjong district administration imposed prohibitory restrictions within a 400-metre radius of Chassad Police Gate Junction following the violence.
The District Magistrate issued the order under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) to prevent further escalation and maintain law and order.
The order prohibits gatherings of five or more people, the carrying of firearms and other potentially dangerous objects, and movement within the restricted area. Security personnel, on-duty magistrates and staff engaged in essential services are exempt.
Meanwhile, police dismissed reports and social media videos claiming that the Kamjong police station had been burnt. Former Chief Minister N. Biren Singh, however, referred to the alleged incident in a post on X.
Biren Singh Demands Stronger Security Measures
Singh claimed that violent incidents across different parts of Manipur had killed seven people in a single day. He alleged that suspected Myanmar-based militants had attacked Ningchou village in Kamjong district and also referred to deadly incidents along Makui IT Road and in Chassad.
He further claimed that two Naga residents of Makui Ashang village in Kangpokpi district had gone missing. Singh also cited the alleged killing of Sandeep Rai in an ambush by Kuki Revolutionary Army (KRA) cadres at Yolen, near TM Kasom Litan in Ukhrul district.
Questioning the deteriorating security situation, Singh demanded the recovery of illegally held weapons, decisive action against armed militant groups and stronger security along the India-Myanmar border. He urged state and central security forces to act without delay.
His claim of seven deaths differs from the three fatalities reported by the police official in the Kamjong and Ukhrul incidents.
Kuki Organisations Allege Woman Was Shot During Protest
Kuki organisations presented a different account of the violence in Chassad. They alleged that the confrontation began when a group of women protested against the arrest and detention of village volunteers.
The Kuki Human Rights Forum (KHRF) claimed that security personnel shot Touthang while she was participating in the protest on Friday night.
The KHRF, the Kuki Students’ Organisation and the Kuki CSO Working Committee, Ukhrul, condemned her death and demanded the strongest action against the personnel allegedly responsible.
The allegations had not received official confirmation in the supplied reports.
CoTU Calls 24-Hour Shutdown
Amid rising tensions, CoTU announced a 24-hour total shutdown across Kangpokpi district from 6 p.m. on Saturday.
The organisation cited reported attacks in Chassad in Kamjong district, Yaolen in Ukhrul district and along the IT Road in Kangpokpi. It warned that the incidents posed a serious threat to civilian lives and security.
CoTU said vulnerable areas faced the risk of further attacks and called for urgent precautionary measures to protect residents and prevent additional violence.
Reports indicate that more than 40 people have been killed and numerous houses torched since clashes between Kuki and Naga communities began in February this year.
The violence has primarily affected Ukhrul, Kamjong, Kangpokpi, Tamenglong and Noney districts, along with parts of Senapati district.
