Man Abducted and Killed in Manipur’s Churachandpur
A Meitei man was abducted and later shot dead in Churachandpur district of Manipur, with a disturbing video of the incident circulating widely and prompting investigations amid ongoing ethnic tensions
IMPHAL- A man identified as Rishikanta Singh, a resident of Kakching district in Manipur, was abducted and subsequently shot dead on Wednesday in Churachandpur district amid ongoing ethnic unrest in the state. The incident has drawn widespread attention after a purported video of the killing circulated on social media.
According to reports, Singh, who was from the Meitei community and was married to a Kuki woman, Chingnu Haokip, had returned from Nepal earlier in January and was staying with his wife in the Tuibong area of Churachandpur.
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On the evening of January 21, unidentified armed individuals reportedly arrived at their residence and abducted both Singh and his wife. Singh’s wife was later released, while he was taken towards the vicinity of Natjang village in the Henglep police station area, where he was allegedly shot dead.
A disturbing video that has been widely circulated shows the victim seated on a rough stretch of road in darkness, pleading with folded hands before individuals not visible in the footage, moments before he is shot at close range. The viral clip has heightened public concern and drawn condemnation from various quarters.
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Authorities have yet to issue a detailed official statement regarding the exact circumstances or identities of the assailants, though local sources and reports have pointed to the possible involvement of suspected militants, including cadres of the United Kuki National Army (UKNA), a group that has not signed the current Suspension of Operations (SoO) agreement.
The incident comes amid prolonged ethnic tensions in Manipur between the Meitei and Kuki-Zo communities, which have seen periodic outbreaks of violence since May 2023. The state has reported significant casualties and displacement over the course of the unrest, and the killing of Singh has sparked fresh anxiety and calls for action.
Local law enforcement is investigating the matter, and efforts to identify and apprehend those responsible for the abduction and killing are ongoing.
