Manipur Witnesses Another Killing Amid Rising Ethnic Tensions

Violence has erupted again in Manipur, with a 45-year-old man from the Kuki community reportedly killed in a shooting in Kangpokpi district on Tuesday. The incident occurred just two days after three people from the Meitei community were allegedly killed while collecting firewood in Imphal East district. According to police, Paolen Khongsai, a resident of P. Molding village, went to a nearby forest with another villager, Laldenga, to collect bamboo shoots. When they reached a forested area around 13 kilometres from the Leimakhong police station, unidentified armed assailants allegedly opened fire on them. Khongsai sustained fatal bullet injuries and died at the scene, while Laldenga escaped unharmed. Police reached the spot, registered a case and sent the body for a post-mortem examination.

The killing has drawn strong condemnation from the Kuki Youth Organisation (KYO) of Leimakhong Block, which alleged that militant groups were involved and raised concerns about the safety of villagers following the withdrawal of security forces from the area. Meanwhile, the Native People’s Committee Manipur has reportedly called for a 48-hour statewide shutdown in protest against the killing of three Meitei people on Sunday. Tensions also rose after locals attempted to march towards the residence of Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh with the bodies of the victims. Against the backdrop of the latest killings, opposition parties in the INDIA bloc are demanding an all-party meeting to discuss the security situation and measures to prevent further violence.