Fresh cases of violence on Wednesday in Manipur included the death of a 36-year-old electric lineman in Tamenglong district and the burning of about 24 houses in two villages in neighbouring Kangpokpi district. They happened within an hour of one another, officials said.
The dead man, Paojangam Chongloi from Wakotphai village was reported to be working on a 33 KV power line at Lasan village when unidentified armed men allegedly opened fire around 4 am, which killed him. Manipur Police had trouble accessing the area and requested support from Kangpokpi police to investigate.
Later, at around 5 AM, armed roosters allegedly attacked the villages Makui Khuman and Makui Thanamba/Chamruioiu under the Chalwa police station in Kangpokpi district. Some 12 households were residing in each village and around 24 buildings had been burnt down, officials said. The villages are located at ~2-3 km and the confidence-building measure of letting people oust by the preceding Naga-Kuki conflict settled at Makui Khunjao.
An oral complaint In the matter of cadres of the National Socialist Council of Nagaland-Isak Muivah (NSCN-IM) getting involved in the killing in Chongloi was also conveyed through a written complaint to the police. The identity and affiliation of the attackers is not yet certain however.
The latest incidents coincide with fresh rise in tensions between Naga and Kuki communities in certain parts of Manipur. A 17-year old boy of Naga tribe tribe was also reportedly shot dead at Tamei on Monday, the police said.
The conflict which snowballed into a wider ethnic conflict in Manipur started in May 2023 between the Meitei and the Kuki population, involving other communities. There has been over 260 deaths and upwards of 10,000 people displaced, with the violence continuing in portions of the state and there are territorial divisions in existence.
The recent downings have given rise to new concerns regarding the security of civilians and key-service providers for essential services in areas hit by violence and sparked local response calls for investigations and reaction to the perpetrators.