Reported by Bit Irom
Imphal: Fresh violence broke out in Manipur‘s Kamjong district on Thursday morning, leaving two members of the Kuki community dead and several houses destroyed in an attack that has further escalated the tensions in the conflict hit state.
According to reports, the incident occurred at around 4:30 am in Kultuk Kuki village, situated nearly 30 kilometres from Kamjong district headquarters. The victims, one of whom was a church functionary, were killed during the violence, while nearly 10 houses were allegedly set on fire by unidentified attackers.
Following the incident, state police and security forces rushed to the area and launched operations to prevent further escalation. Additional personnel have been deployed, and the situation is being closely monitored by authorities.
The latest outbreak of violence comes amid a 24-hour shutdown called by the United Naga Council (UNC) across Naga inhabited areas of Manipur. The bandh, which began at 6 am on June 11, was announced in protest against the killing of six Naga men who had been abducted on May 13 and whose mutilated remains were recently recovered.
The UNC expressed strong condemnation over the killings, describing them as inhumane and a grave violation of human rights. The organization stated that the recovery of the bodies, coming shortly after the release of 14 Kuki detainees, had caused widespread anger and grief within the Naga community.
As part of its demands, the UNC has called for the immediate termination of the Suspension of Operations (SoO) agreement with all Kuki militant groups. The council has also sought the designation of the Kuki National Front-President (KNF-P) as a terrorist organization and demanded the arrest of those allegedly involved in the abduction and murder of the six Naga men.
Additionally, the organisation has called for action against the chief of Leilon Vaiphei village and sought the removal of Manipur Deputy Chief Minister Nemcha Kipgen, alleging links through family connections to the KNF.
The developments have added a new layer of tension to the already fragile security situation in Manipur, where ethnic divisions continue to pose significant challenges to peace and stability.