2 Gunfights in Manipur’s Ukhrul Leave 3 Dead as Tensions Escalate
At least three people lost their lives and a few others got wounded after gunfights took place in two different locations in Manipur’s Ukhrul district on Friday morning, as tensions between the Tangkhul Naga and Kuki communities continued, police informed.
As per the sources, the initial exchange of gunfire occurred in the early hours near Sinakeithei village where there was an altercation between armed groups of the two communities. A Tangkhul man named Horshokmi Jamang aged 29 was killed, he was a resident of Chatric Khullen village in Kamjong district. Three civilians were also hurt during the shooting session.
According to the cops, a second shootout happened soon after in Mullam village, which is home to the Kuki community members. Two men were killed in this situation. One was Letlal Sitlhou aka James Kuki from K Khonom village and the other was Paominlun Haolao aka Hitlal Kuki from Haijang village in Kangpokpi district.
According to reports, military personnel have been sent to the places affected and the circumstances are still delicate.
Conflicting Claims Emerge as Local Groups Blame Each Other for Violence
After the episodes, several community organisations provided contradictory accounts of what had happened in the villages of Sinakeithei and Mullam.
It is reported that the Tangkhul Naga Long (TNL) said that armed Kuki cadres stopped the village guards during their patrol between Sirarakhong and Sinakeithei, leading to an ambush. Besides, the organisation held an armed groups which are under suspension of operation agreements responsible for the incident.
On the other hand, a letter from the Mullam village authorities said that the armed men who have been identified as “Tangkhul militants” were shooting from around 5:30 a.m. and the deaths occurred in the village.
The Kuki Organisation for Human Rights Trust has strongly criticised the killing of so-called “village volunteers” and even claimed that houses were burned in the villages of Mullam and nearby Songphal, according to their allegations.
Police are yet to officially confirm the statements of either side, as they said that the investigation is still underway.
Ukhrul district, which is predominantly inhabited by the Tangkhul Naga community, has been the scene of violence and tension on and off since February this year. The recent incidents are just the latest in a series of clashes in the region over the last few months.
In the last few years, Manipur has also undergone greater ethnic tensions when Meitei and Kuki-Zo communities met each other which led to unrest in parts of the state.
