Kuki-Meitei
Six people were killed in renewed violence in Manipur’s Jiribam district, according to police reports. Suspected Kuki insurgents attacked Nungchappi village, 229 km from Imphal, killing 63-year-old Yurembam Kulendra Singha. This followed the death of an elderly man from the Meitei community, who was killed in a rocket-propelled bomb attack by Kuki-Meitei insurgents in Moirang town the previous day.
Five other victims died during a gunfight between armed groups from the Meitei community and Kuki tribes, who refer to themselves as “village defence volunteers.” The Jiribam Superintendent of Police and a team arrived at the scene but came under fire. They retaliated and managed to control the situation.
Last month, peace talks between Kuki-Meitei and Hmar leaders took place in Jiribam, with the participation of security forces, resulting in a joint statement pledging to work toward peace. However, Kuki groups from Churachandpur opposed the talks, claiming they did not represent their interests and were orchestrated by Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh. The Hmar Inpui declared the peace efforts invalid, accusing participants of serving a divisive government and warning them to stop.
In response to escalating violence, including the use of drones in attacks by suspected Kuki insurgents in Imphal West, police deployed an anti-drone system. Army helicopters are conducting surveillance, while security forces continue combing operations in suspected areas. A team is also monitoring social media to identify those inciting violence, and several bunkers have been destroyed in the foothills.
On Friday, crowds attempted to loot weapons from two Manipur Rifles camps in Imphal, but security forces intervened using blank rounds and tear gas. Two policemen, Inspector Kh Henery and Constable Issac Gangmei, were injured by gunfire and are receiving treatment in the hospital.
Protesters in the Imphal valley expressed frustration with both state and central governments over the drone and rocket attacks, claiming they were forced to defend themselves. An Imphal resident, M Nirmala Devi, questioned the government’s ability to protect civilians, citing the deaths of a Meitei woman shot by a sniper and an elderly man killed in a rocket attack.
