Kuki woman killed, man injured in gunfight between suspected militants in Manipur

A Kuki woman was shot dead and a man sustained injuries during an exchange of fire between suspected rival militant groups in Manipur's Kangpokpi district on Thursday, officials said.

The deceased, identified as Nengboi Chongloi, was working in a field near Taphou Kuki village when the firing broke out at around 11 am. She was later found dead with a sickle in her hand. Locals and security personnel recovered her body.

The gunfight took place in an area between Taphou Kuki village in Kangpokpi district and Kailengjang in neighbouring Senapati district. The injured man was taken to a private hospital in Kangpokpi for treatment.

Fresh violence amid protests over killing of two Kuki civilians

The incident occurred amid protests by the Kangpokpi-based Committee on Tribal Unity (COTU), which held a sit-in demonstration at the district headquarters. The organisation was protesting what it described as an unsatisfactory response to its charter of demands following the abduction and killing of two Kuki-Zo civilians from Taphou Kuki village.

COTU has demanded that Taphou Kuki village be brought under the jurisdiction of Kangpokpi district police instead of remaining under the Senapati district police station.

The latest firing comes after two Kuki youths who had gone missing from the vicinity of Taphou Kuki village on October 28 were found dead in neighbouring Senapati district on November 1. Their killings had prompted COTU to call a total shutdown across Kangpokpi district.

NIA takes over probe into killing of two Kuki youths

The latest violence comes amid tensions following the abduction and killing of the two Kuki youths. The Manipur government has since transferred the investigation into their deaths to the National Investigation Agency (NIA).

Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh announced the decision on November 9 during a visit to Taphou Kuki village, where he met the families of the deceased, identified as Paoginlal Hangshing and Tinginlun Chongloi. He assured them that everyone involved in the killings would be arrested, although the investigation could take time, and urged the public to cooperate with the agency.

The two youths went missing on October 28 and their bodies were recovered in neighbouring Senapati district on November 1. Their deaths had triggered protests and a total shutdown in Kangpokpi district.