Four members of the Kuki tribal community, including two women, were killed. They died in separate shooting attacks in Tamenglong and Noney districts. The attacks took place before September 14, 2026. The incidents occurred at Tollen Kuki village and Longpi village. The motive behind the attacks has not been officially established. Two victims were killed at each location, prompting security forces to launch combing operations.
Key Takeaways
- Four Kuki-Zo civilians, including two women, were killed in separate attacks in Tamenglong and Noney districts.
- Home Minister Konthoujam Govindas Singh ordered authorities to identify those responsible and ensure legal action.
- The Kuki-Zo Council alleged involvement of Naga armed groups, while security forces intensified operations and remained on high alert.
Manipur Home Minister Konthoujam Govindas Singh has promised strict action against those responsible for the killing of four people, including two women, in separate attacks in Tamenglong and Noney districts.
Singh said violence would not be allowed to undermine Manipur’s efforts towards peace and normalcy. He strongly condemned the killings and expressed anguish over the loss of innocent lives.
The Home Minister also conveyed his condolences to the families of the victims. He wished those injured in the attacks a speedy recovery.
Singh stressed that attacks against innocent civilians were unacceptable.
“I have directed the concerned authorities to take all necessary measures to ascertain the facts, identify those responsible and ensure that the law takes its course without fear or favour,” he said in a statement.
Four killed in separate attacks
Police officials said two people, including a woman, were killed in an attack at Tollen Kuki village under Kaimai Police Station in Tamenglong district.
Two more people, also including a woman, were shot dead at Longpi village under Nungba Police Station in Noney district, the officials said.
All four victims belonged to the Kuki tribal community, according to the officials.
Security forces immediately launched a large-scale combing operation following the attacks. The operation aims to track down those responsible for the killings.
Singh said the perpetrators would be pursued under the law and held accountable.
“At this critical juncture, no act of violence will be allowed to derail Manipur’s path towards peace and normalcy,” he said.
The Minister also underlined the importance of protecting every citizen.
“The safety of every citizen remains paramount. The law will prevail, justice will be pursued, and peace will be protected,” Singh added.
Chief Minister condemns violence
Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh had condemned the killings on Sunday.
He expressed deep anguish over the deaths of innocent people and described the attacks as unacceptable.
In a statement issued by his office, the Chief Minister said such acts of violence against civilians had no place in society.
The Tollen attack also drew condemnation from several organisations, as well as MLAs and leaders from the Kuki and Naga communities.
The Kaimai Village Authority was among those who denounced the incident. It described the attack as a “deliberate and malicious attempt to create disharmony and division among communities”.
Houses reportedly burnt in Jiribam
Meanwhile, three to four houses belonging to members of the Rongmei Naga community were reportedly burnt at Khedaghar under Jiribam Police Station in Jiribam district on Sunday evening.
Reports placed the incident around 12 km south of Jiribam Police Station.
No injuries or deaths have been reported in the incident so far.
Sources said the Rongmei Naga families had left their houses several weeks earlier. They reportedly feared possible retaliation amid heightened tensions between the Kuki and Naga communities.
Security personnel subsequently moved into the affected area to assess the situation and strengthen security arrangements.
Security forces have been put on high alert. Troops and Quick Action Teams have also been kept ready for immediate deployment.
Personnel have been asked to increase engagement with villagers and key persons in the area. The move is aimed at maintaining vigilance and preventing any further escalation.
The exact reason behind the fire remains unclear. Authorities have also not officially established who was responsible.
Kuki-Zo Council alleges armed-group involvement
The Kuki-Zo Council (KZC), the apex body of the Kuki-Zo tribal community, strongly condemned the deaths of the four Kuki-Zo civilians.
The victims included two women and were killed in separate attacks at L. Tollen and Longpi villages.
KZC spokesperson and Secretary, Information and Publicity, Ginza Vualzong, alleged that the incidents reflected continuing violence against Kuki-Zo civilians.
He also blamed Naga armed groups operating in Manipur for the attacks.
The KZC alleged that Naga leaders had adopted what it called a double standard over killings involving members of the two communities.
The organisation claimed that while Naga leaders were demanding justice over six Naga deaths, they had remained silent over 22 Kuki-Zo civilians, including women and children, who it said had been killed by Naga armed groups since the beginning of 2026.
Vualzong also criticised what he described as an apparent lack of willingness among Naga political and civil society leaders to pursue meaningful reconciliation and dialogue.
According to him, such efforts were necessary to end the continuing Naga-Kuki-Zo violence.
KZC seeks decisive government action
The KZC also voiced concern over reports alleging the involvement of NSCN-IM cadres operating through or alongside ZUF-K and Naga Village Guards in the attacks.
The organisation urged the Government of India to take decisive action.
“The Government of India must act decisively,” the KZC said, arguing that NSCN-IM should not be allowed to operate with impunity in Manipur, particularly in the absence of a ceasefire agreement covering the state.
The KZC warned that continued activity by armed groups could threaten civilians and risk pushing Manipur towards another full-scale conflict.
The allegations made by the KZC come as security forces continue operations following the killings, while authorities maintain heightened vigilance in areas affected by tensions between the Kuki and Naga communities. (With inputs from IANS)
