FRESH ETHNIC TENSIONS IN MANIPUR AS THREE KUKI VILLAGE VOLUNTEERS DIE IN NONEY GUNFIGHT

November 1, 2026

Three members of the Kuki community were killed in an exchange of gunfire between rival armed groups in Manipur’s Noney district on Saturday, October 31, raising fresh concerns over security in the already conflict-affected state.

The gunfight broke out at Kekru Naga village during the morning and continued for several hours in the forested hill area. Police said sporadic firing between unidentified groups suspected to belong to the Naga and Kuki communities had been reported in the area since October 29. Saturday’s incident was the first in three days to result in fatalities.

The deceased were identified as Thanglensang Singson, Thangkhosei Haokip and Lamminsang Kipgen, all residents of Churachandpur district. The Kuki Inpi Manipur (KIM), the apex organisation representing the Kuki community, said the three were village volunteers and strongly condemned their killings.

KIM alleged that Naga militant groups were responsible and demanded justice, accountability and immediate intervention by the state government. The organisation also accused the authorities of failing to provide adequate security to vulnerable Kuki-Zo communities. These allegations have not been independently established, and police have not publicly confirmed the identities of those responsible.

Security personnel have taken necessary measures in the affected area. Police also reported recovering four automatic assault rifles, a single-barrel rifle, a drone, ammunition and improvised explosive devices from the site.

The killings occurred amid heightened tensions involving the Kuki-Zo, Naga and Meitei communities. On the same day, a large rally jointly organised by Meitei and Naga organisations took place in Imphal, demanding, among other things, the termination of the Suspension of Operations agreement with Kuki-Zo armed groups. A separate demonstration was also held in Kangpokpi over the safety of two missing Kuki youths.

Manipur has continued to experience the consequences of ethnic violence that erupted in May 2023, which has claimed at least 306 lives, according to figures cited in recent reports. The latest deaths underline the continuing security challenges and the urgent need to protect civilians and prevent further escalation of inter-community violence.