New front opens in Manipur conflict as Nagas and Kuki-Zos die in clash
Recent violence has rekindled tensions in the northeastern Indian state, scene of a bitter conflict for the past three years. Ethnic Kuki-Zos now accuse the Nagas, who had remained neutral during the confrontation between Kuki-Zos and the Meiteis. The newly elected Yumnam Khemchand Singh administration is facing the difficult task of reconciliation.
Imphal (AsiaNews) – The situation is tense again in the state of Manipur, which has been rocked by violence for almost three years. Three people died and at least four were wounded in Ukhrul, as the conflict between ethnic Kuki-Zos and Nagas intensifies.
A "volunteer" from a Naga self-defence group and two Kuki-Zos were killed in a gunfight yesterday in Ukhrul district. Seven people from both tribes have been killed in the past month, with each side blaming the other for the deaths.
The hostilities between the Nagas and the Kukis have opened another fault line in the three-year-old Manipur conflict. Until recently, the Nagas had remained neutral while the Meiteis and Kuki-Zos fought each other.
The hostilities between the two groups represents a further challenge for the new government of Yumnam Khemchand Singh, which is faced with a conflict that has already cost more than 260 deaths and displaced some 60,000 people since May 2023.
Police in Ukhrul confirmed the incident, stating that the body of the Naga victim was sent to Ukhrul and those of the two Kuki-Zos to Kangpokpi.
Two First Information Reports (FIRs) have been registered at the Litan police station under Sections 326 (causing personal injury), 103 (murder), 109 (attempted murder), 118(2) (causing grievous hurt by dangerous weapons), and 310/3(5) (robbery) of the Indian Penal Code.
The Naga “volunteer” has been identified as Horshokmi Jamang, 29, and the two Kuki “volunteers” as Letlal, 43, and Paominlun Haoli, 19. According to a press release issued by the Naga Village Guard, a volunteer group formed to protect Naga villages, the four people wounded belong to their group.
The Naga and Kuki-Zo groups blame the other for the incident. In a statement, the Kuki Inpi Manipur (KIM) organisation said that heavily armed Nagas “descended upon” the Kuki village of Mulam in the early hours yesterday. As a result, Letlal and Haoli lost their lives while trying to defend the village.
The Naga Village Guard denied the accusation, claiming that its volunteers, while patrolling Sinakeithei and Sirarakhong, two predominantly Naga villages near Mulam, were attacked by armed militants despite the suspension of operations agreement in force.
It stated that there had been "repeated attacks on Sinakeithei village " and "constant tactical movements" by Kuki militants in the areas surrounding the villages.
Kuki groups led by the Kuki National Organisation (KNO) and the United People's Front (UPF) signed a ceasefire agreement, known as the Suspension of Operations (SoO), with the central and Manipur governments in 2008.
Since the conflict broke out in 2023, these groups have been negotiating with the Ministry of Home Affairs over the Kuki-Zo demand for a separate union territory with its own legislature.
Kuki Inpi Manipur said that the continued attacks and the resulting inaction by the relevant authorities could lead to further deterioration of the situation.
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