Manipur crisis: 3 dead, 4 injured in Ukhrul as conflict between Kuki-Zos and Nagas escalate

In further escalation of hostilities between the Tangkhul Naga and Kuki-Zo tribes, one Naga ‘volunteer’ and two Kuki-Zo ‘volunteers’ were killed in a gunfight on Friday in Ukhrul district, Manipur. In addition, four Naga ‘volunteers’ were also injured. 

In the last one month, seven people from both tribes have been killed, with each side blaming the other for the casualties.

The Naga-Kuki hostility has opened another faultline in the three-year-old Manipur conflict. Until recently, Nagas stayed neutral while Meiteis and Kuki-Zos fought against each other. This poses another challenge for the new Yumnam Khemchand government, with the conflict already claiming over 260 lives and displacing around 60,000.

Ukhrul police confirmed the incident, saying that the Naga volunteer’s body had been sent to Ukhrul and two Kuki-Zo volunteers’ to Kangpokpi. They have filed two FIRs at Litan police station under sections 326 (mischief), 103 (murder), 109 (attempt to murder), 118(2) (grievous hurt by dangerous weapons), 310/3(5) (dacoity) of the BNS.

The Naga ‘volunteer’ has been identified as Horshokmi Jamang, 29, and two Kuki ‘volunteers’ as Letlal (43) and Paominlun Haoli (19). According to a press release by Naga Village Guard (Central Command), a volunteer group formed to protect villages against attacks, four of its ‘volunteers’ were injured.

“Ramshang Kamodang (32) of Nambisha sustained a horrible injury on the chin, Horrei Khokyar (26) of Kalhang received shrapnel from a lathode (a local term for a grenade launcher) on the back of his head, while Shonshok Mahung (36) of Hungpung was shot through his thigh, and Ramnganing Mahon (34) of Ngainga was wounded on the leg,” read the press release.

While Ukhrul SP Babitarani Swain did not respond to Newslaundry’s calls, the Naga and Kuki-Zo groups have blamed each other for the incident.

Kuki Inpi Manipur (KIM), in a press release, said that heavily armed Nagas “descended upon” the Kuki village of Mulam early on Friday and in the process of defending the village, Letlal and Haoli lost their lives.

The Naga Village Guard rejected the charge, claiming that its volunteers, while patrolling two Naga-dominated villages, Sinakeithei and Sirarakhong, near Mulam, came under attack from armed cadres under the suspension of operations (SoO) agreement. It claimed there were “repeated attacks on Sinakeithei village” and “constant tactical movement” of armed Kuki cadres from “SoO groups” in the periphery of the villages.

Kuki militant groups led by the Kuki National Organisation (KNO) and the United People’s Front (UPF) signed a ceasefire agreement, known as a suspension of operations (SoO) agreement, with the Centre and the Manipur government in 2008. Since the conflict began in 2023, these groups have been holding talks with the Ministry of Home Affairs on the Kuki-Zo demand for a separate union territory with the legislature.

KIM said that continued attacks and subsequent inaction from concerned authorities may lead to further deterioration of the situation.

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