Ukhrul (Manipur): Tensions have escalated once again in Manipur following two separate violent incidents in Ukhrul district on Friday morning. Armed clashes between rival tribal groups resulted in the deaths of at least three individuals and left five others injured. The victims are reported to be members of the Tangkhul Naga and Kuki communities, marking a volatile shift in the region’s security landscape. According to official reports, the first major incident occurred near Mullam village around 11:25 a.m., where security forces recovered two bodies identified as L. Sitlhou and P. Haolai. Both victims sustained multiple gunshot wounds and were found wearing camouflage uniforms, leading authorities to suspect their involvement with local armed groups.
The violence reportedly began much earlier in the day, with heavy exchange of fire between separatists starting around 5:30 a.m. in the Tangkhul Naga-dominated Mullam area. During the chaos, several houses on the outskirts of the village were set ablaze, causing widespread panic and forcing residents to flee to safer locations. In response to the unrest, the Kuki Organization for Human Rights Trust issued a strong condemnation regarding the killing of village volunteers and the arson in Mullam and Songphal villages. The organization has formally requested the administration to file First Information Reports and initiate a fair, time-bound investigation into the targeted attacks.
In a secondary incident, a 29-year-old man identified as H. Jamang was killed during an ambush near Sinakethei village in Ukhrul. A resident of Chatrik Khullen in Kamjong district, Jamang was reportedly performing patrol duties as a Naga village guard at the time of the attack. The Tangkhul Naga Long expressed deep grief over his death, stating that village guards were deployed specifically to counter rising security challenges in the area. While the organization attributed the attack to Kuki militants, Kuki groups have vehemently denied these allegations, distancing themselves from the incident.
The situation remains critical as accusations and counter-accusations continue to fly between the two communities. Adding to the complexity, the militant outfit NSCN (Isak-Muivah) has claimed to have killed five members of the Kuki National Army-Burma in Kamjong district, although official confirmation of this specific claim is still pending. Local authorities are closely monitoring the area as security forces work to prevent further retaliatory violence and restore order in the sensitive border districts.
