A Kuki woman was tragically killed in crossfire between security forces and unidentified gunmen in Manipur’s Churachandpur district, while a Meitei farmer was injured in a separate shooting incident, reigniting tensions and protests in the region.
The violence began when a Meitei farmer, Ningthoujam Biren Singh, was shot in the arm while working in his paddy field in Bishnupur district. The attack, suspected to be carried out by armed men from the surrounding hills, left the farmer hospitalized but in stable condition. In response, security forces launched a search operation in areas bordering the valley and hills, including Langchingmanbi and Heichanglok.
Manipur Violence: Timeline of Kuki Woman Killed
During the operation, security personnel came under fire from unidentified assailants. In the ensuing exchange, Hoikholhing, the wife of the Langchingmanbi village chief and a member of the Kuki community, was fatally shot. Her body was transported to Churachandpur District Hospital for post-mortem examination. Authorities have registered a case and intensified search operations to apprehend those responsible.
Protests and Shutdowns Escalate Manipur Crossfire
The killing of the Kuki woman has sparked widespread protests and shutdowns. Local organizations, including the Indigenous Tribal Leaders’ Forum, declared an indefinite shutdown in Churachandpur as a mark of mourning and protest. The Kuki Women Organisation for Human Rights condemned the incident, calling for strict enforcement of buffer zones and a judicial inquiry into the violence.
Meanwhile, angry residents in Bishnupur blocked highways and demanded government intervention, warning of a state-wide shutdown if their demands were not met. The situation remains tense, with security arrangements for farmers under review to prevent further violence.
Ethnic Tensions and Calls for Justice Amid Manipur Crossfire
The incident underscores the fragile peace between the Meitei and Kuki communities, who have experienced repeated cycles of violence since May 2023. Over 250 people have died and thousands displaced in ongoing ethnic clashes. Community leaders are demanding accountability, deployment of neutral central forces, and immediate action to restore peace and security.