Three Kuki men were killed in a fresh exchange of gunfire between unidentified armed groups in Manipur’s Noney district on Saturday, even as thousands of people, including members of Meitei and Naga organisations, held a rally in Imphal demanding the scrapping of the Suspension of Operations (SoO) agreement with Kuki-Zo armed groups and greater protection for local communities.
No untoward incident was reported, said a senior police officer. Police put up barricades at Keisampat junction, near Lok Bhavan, the chief minister’s office and the BJP state office, preventing the procession from moving further. The Committee on Tribal Unity (CoTU) also held a parallel rally in Kangpokpi, citing threats to civilian lives and continued injustice against the Kuki-Zo community.
Sporadic gunfire between unidentified groups suspected to belong to the Naga and Kuki communities had been reported in the area since October 29, said police, adding that Saturday’s incident was the first in three days to result in fatalities. The organisations also demanded permanent rehabilitation of internally displaced people (IDPs) since May 3, 2023, with adequate security, restoration of properties and livelihood support to enable their return. It extended a total shutdown across the district by another 24 hours, citing the failure to secure the safe recovery of two missing Kuki civilians.
The firing took place around 10am at Kekru Naga village under Nungba police station, officials aware of the matter said. Security forces have been deployed in the area to maintain law and order, according to police. The three men have been identified as Thanglensang Singson, Thangkhosei Haokip and Lamminsang Kipgen, all residents of villages in Churachandpur district, police said. Four automatic assault rifles, a single-barrel rifle, a drone, ammunition and improvised explosives were recovered from the site, according to police. Officials said the march began at Tiddim Ground and concluded at Thangmeiband Athletic Union (THAU) ground in Imphal West.
It had earlier advised Kuki-Zo people against travelling beyond Kuki-inhabited areas of Sadar Hills.
