In brief
Two separate incidents in Manipur's Kangpokpi and Noney districts resulted in five deaths, with clashes involving Kuki and Naga groups. The latest violence occurs amid a broader tribal conflict tied to Meitei inclusion in scheduled tribal status, adding to a tally of 306 deaths since the conflict began in May 2023. Authorities reported tear gas, gunfire and baton charges, while a Kuki tribal body blamed Naga outfits for the killings.
Five Kuki men were killed Sunday and Saturday in separate clashes in Manipur's Kangpokpi and Noney districts, officials said.
Incident details
In Kangpokpi, violence erupted after the bodies of two missing Kuki men were recovered from Taphou Kuki village on Oct. 28, prompting government forces to use tear gas shells and baton charges to disperse a crowd that had gathered in protest. Several protesters sustained injuries during the confrontation.
In Noney, police said three Kuki men were killed in a gun‑fire exchange between two armed groups at Kekru Naga village on Saturday. A search and combing operation is underway to identify those responsible, and a top Kuki tribal body has blamed Naga outfits for the killings.
Background of the conflict
The clashes are part of a wider tribal conflict that began in May 2023, when the non‑tribal Meitei community demanded inclusion in the list of scheduled tribes, a status that offers reservations in education and government jobs. The demand sparked large‑scale protests in the state, leading to the federal government imposing direct rule in February last year, a measure that was lifted in February this year.
According to the local government of Manipur, the violence has killed at least 306 people and left 49 others missing since its outbreak in May 2023, underscoring the sustained volatility in the region.
