Naga-Kuki Clashes Erupt in Manipur
Clashes between Naga and Kuki groups during a shutdown called by United Naga Council have heightened tensions in Kangpokpi and adjoining areas.
IMPHAL— Fresh tensions have emerged in parts of Manipur following clashes between members of the Tangkhul Naga and Kuki communities in Kangpokpi district during a shutdown called by the United Naga Council (UNC).
The unrest was reported from the Khullen–Chagoubung area, located along the border of Naga-dominated Senapati district and Kuki-dominated Kangpokpi. The shutdown, which began on April 20, was called to protest the killing of two Tangkhul Naga civilians in Ukhrul district on April 18.
According to officials, tensions escalated when Naga volunteers enforcing the bandh blocked roads in the area. The situation turned confrontational when members of the Kuki community attempted to clear the blockade, leading to stone pelting between the two sides.
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Eyewitness accounts and local reports suggest that the confrontation intensified into physical altercations, with a few rounds of gunfire reported during the commotion. Authorities have not confirmed who opened fire.
Tangkhul Naga groups have alleged that armed Kuki individuals were present and that firing originated from the Chagoubung side. In contrast, representatives of Naga organisations have stated that those responsible for disrupting what they describe as a peaceful protest must be held accountable.
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Meanwhile, the Kuki Inpi Manipur (KIM) has raised concerns over reports of firing towards Kuki villages. In a public statement, the organisation called for restraint and urged bandh supporters to refrain from actions that could endanger civilians.
The three-day shutdown has disrupted normal life across Naga-inhabited districts, including Ukhrul, Kamjong, Senapati, Noney, and Tamenglong. Movement has been restricted in several areas, and economic activity has been affected.
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Security forces have been deployed in the affected regions to prevent further escalation and maintain order. Officials stated that investigations are underway to establish the sequence of events and identify those responsible for the violence.
The latest clashes have heightened fears of widening ethnic tensions in the hill districts, which have already been experiencing volatility following recent incidents of violence. Authorities have appealed for calm as efforts continue to stabilise the situation.
