Two villagers killed, several injured as militants attack Kuki village in Manipur

However, a leading Kuki tribal organisation claimed that three villagers, including two women, were killed in the attack, while four others sustained bullet injuries and were critically wounded.

A police official in Imphal said armed militants belonging to a suspected militant group opened indiscriminate fire at N. Teikhang village in the mountainous Kangpokpi district using sophisticated weapons. Several houses were also set ablaze during the attack, the official said.

The heavy firing forced several residents, including women and children, to flee their homes and seek shelter in nearby forests.

Security forces comprising Manipur Police and Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) rushed to the area and launched operations to bring the situation under control. Officials said further details were being ascertained.

The attack came days after suspected militants ambushed a vehicle in the district, killing four Naga civilians and injuring another.

The Twilang Area Kuki CSO Working Committee condemned what it described as an “unprovoked and barbaric attack” allegedly carried out by armed cadres of the NSCN-IM and its alleged proxy force, ZUF-K, against residents of Teikhang village.

The organisation claimed that around 50 heavily armed cadres attacked the village, opened fire on civilians and torched several houses. It claimed three villagers, including two women, were killed and four others critically injured.

According to the organisation, the deceased were identified as Tingneichin Lhouvum, 40, Hoineineng Lhoujem, 21, and Lamtinthang Lhoujem, 36.

The injured were identified as Nemneichong Lhoujem, 50, Seilun Lhoujem, 70, Deilhing Haokip, 55, and Kamtinsei Chongloi, 38.

The Kuki Students’ Organisation also condemned the attack and called for measures to protect civilians.

Since violence involving Naga and Kuki communities erupted in the state in February this year, more than 20 people from both communities have reportedly been killed in separate firing incidents, while several houses have been burnt.

Security forces continued operations in and around the affected area as authorities worked to ascertain the circumstances surrounding the latest attack.