Three Dead, Seven Homes Torched in Suspected Militant Assault on Manipur Village

Three people were killed and seven houses were destroyed in a suspected militant attack on Loibol Khullen village in Manipur’s Kangpokpi district early Friday, according to the Kuki Inpi Manipur (KIM), the apex body representing the Kuki-Zo community in the state.

In a statement issued on June 5, KIM alleged that heavily armed cadres belonging to the National Socialist Council of Nagalim-Isak-Muivah (NSCN-IM) and its proxy outfit ZUF (K) attacked the village around 4 a.m. The organisation claimed that the assault resulted in the deaths of three civilians, the destruction of seven homes and extensive damage to civilian property.

The victims were identified as Letkhongam Haokip, his wife Tinmary Haokip and Jangminlal Haokip, all residents of Loibol Khullen village. A separate statement issued by the Kuki Students’ Organisation (KSO), South West Sadar Hills, said the victims were aged 34, 30 and 34 respectively.

Police had not issued an official statement on the incident at the time of publication.

Kuki Bodies Condemn Attack

Condemning the violence, KIM described the incident as a “barbaric act” against unarmed civilians and said the killing of innocent residents and destruction of homes represented a grave violation of human rights and human dignity.

The organisation extended condolences to the families of the victims and expressed solidarity with those affected by the attack, saying the incident had caused profound grief within the Kuki-Zo community.

Call for Investigation

KIM urged the Government of India and security agencies to launch an immediate investigation, identify those responsible and ensure swift justice.

The organisation also called for enhanced security arrangements in vulnerable villages to prevent further attacks on civilians.

“The perpetrators of this heinous crime must be held fully accountable,” KIM said, warning that continued attacks on Kuki-Zo communities could have wider consequences.

Violence Amid Protracted Ethnic Tensions

The incident comes amid the continuing fallout from Manipur’s ethnic conflict, which erupted in May 2023 following clashes between the Meitei and Kuki-Zo communities over demands for Scheduled Tribe status for the Meitei community.

The violence spread rapidly across the state, triggering widespread killings, arson and displacement. According to official estimates and media reports over the course of the conflict, more than 250 people have been killed and around 60,000 displaced since the unrest began.

Although large-scale violence has declined compared with the initial phase of the conflict, sporadic attacks, armed confrontations and security incidents continue to be reported from districts including Kangpokpi, Imphal East and Churachandpur.

Allegations Against Naga Insurgent Groups

In a separate statement, the KSO South West Sadar Hills alleged that militants associated with VBIG, ZUF-Kamson and NSCN (IM) were involved in the attack and accused Naga insurgent groups of targeting Kuki ancestral areas.

There was no immediate response from NSCN-IM, ZUF (K), or any of the groups named in the allegations.

Authorities have not yet independently verified the claims, and the investigation into the incident remains ongoing.