Manipur: 3 killed in gunfights in Ukhrul, tension rises among tribal communities

THree persons from the Tangkhul Naga and kuki-chin communities were killed in divide gunfights in Manipur’s Ukhrul territory on fri, law said.One person was killed in the first attack, carried out in the early hours of Friday in Sinakeithei, a Tangkhul Naga village in Ukhrul. Two armed Kuki persons were subsequently killed in Mullam, a Kuki village, in retaliatory firing, police said.Local police confirmed the deaths but could only provide sketchy details of the attacks.“Since early morning, the state police have been unable to reach the spot, but three armed individuals died during the gunfights. Border Security Force (BSF) troops reached Mullam village and recovered the two bodies belonging to the Kuki community,” a police officer from the Litan police station, who asked not to be named, said.The officer said a few villagers were injured in the gunfight but could not confirm the numbers.The Tangkhul Naga Long (TNL), a Naga organisation, said in a statement that one of the dead, identified as Horshokmi Jamang (29), belonged to the Tangkhul Naga community.“Following movement and disruption near (villages) Sirarakhong and Sinakeithei by armed Kuki cadres of Suspension of Operation (SoO) and other Kuki militant groups, Naga village guards posted near Sirarakhong went for patrolling when they were ambushed by the Kuki cadres,” the statement added.The Mullam village authority alleged in a separate statement that Tangkhul militants attacked the village around 5.30 am on Friday; two injured villagers were rescued later.The statement said that armed militants had attacked the same village earlier on April 19 and 21. “This act of violence reflects a disturbing escalation. While previous incidents have contributed to rising tensions, the direct attack on a civilian village marks a grave and unacceptable development,” the statement said.A statement issued by the Bungpi-Ihang defence committee, a Kuki body from Kangpokpi district, said two Kuki volunteers — Letlal Sitlhou, a resident of the K Khonom village, and Paominlun Haolao from Haijang village — from Kangpokpi district were killed in the gunfight.The Kohima-based Global Naga Forum alleged that Kuki militants under SoO are “witnessed loitering” in close proximity to Naga villages such as Sinakeithei, Thoyee, Sharakphung and TM Kasom.“Kuki villages including Moongkot Chepu, Shangkhai, Zalenbung, Songphel and Mollen are allegedly being used as operational bases by these armed groups,” said the forum, which on April 22 condemned the killing of two Tangkhul Naga civilians along NH-202 near TM Kasom in Ukhrul district earlier in the month.The forum alleged that the monthly stipend of ₹6,000 provided to each cadre under SoO is being misused by Kuki militant groups to procure arms and ammunition.On April 11, armed miscreants suspected to be Kuki militants ambushed five Tangkhul Naga vehicles on the NH 202 (Imphal–Ukhrul) road in the Litan area, killing two civilians, including one retired Indian army personnel..