Imphal, Oct 19: Three people were killed and three others injured in an alleged attack by suspected Kuki militants at Uyumpok, near Nongsum Hills in Manipur’s Imphal East district, on Monday morning.
The attack reportedly took place around 9.30 am, after the victims went to collect firewood near the boundary between Imphal East and Kuki-dominated Kangpokpi district.
The deceased were identified as Arubam Ronil, also reported as Ronin, 35, son of Raja, of Nongshum Mayai Leikai; Lairenlakpam Inaobi, 44, son of Tombi, of Uyumpok Nongshum Awang Leikai; and Kshetrimayum Sushil, 32, son of Ksh Deven, of Uyumpok Mayai Leikai. Sushil reportedly died while being taken to hospital.
The three injured were identified as Meisnam Somendro, 55, son of late M. Borsing; Bonson Khingdram, 45; and Ngangom Suraj, 22, son of Ng. Dara. All three are undergoing treatment at Raj Medicity in Imphal.
Angry locals brought the bodies to the state capital to protest the violence that has plagued Manipur since May 2023. They placed the bodies outside the main gate of Chief Minister Y Khemchand Singh’s residence in Babupara.
It was not immediately known whether the Chief Minister was present at the residence during the protest.
Police fired several rounds of tear gas shells to disperse the protesters, following which the bodies were taken to the Jawaharlal Nehru Institute of Medical Sciences (JNIMS).
Reacting to the incident, MLA Thokchom Lokeshor Singh called for immediate intervention by the authorities and demanded the removal of Sinai Camp, a Suspension of Operations (SoO) camp located near the area.
“The victims had gone to collect firewood in the area near the boundary between Imphal East and Kuki-dominated Kangpokpi district when they were allegedly attacked without provocation,” he said.
The MLA further claimed that Assam Rifles personnel had assured the firewood collectors that they would be provided protection. The incident has raised concerns over civilian safety in the area and the effectiveness of existing security arrangements.
The killings threaten to deepen mistrust between the Meitei and Kuki communities, whose relations have remained strained since ethnic violence erupted in Manipur in May 2023.
The incident’s location near the Imphal East–Kangpokpi boundary adds to concerns over a possible escalation.
Authorities are yet to provide further details about the attack, and information on the police investigation and official response is awaited.