Four people were killed in two separate attacks that targeted Kuki settlements in Manipur on [recent day], according to local police and district administration sources. The twin incidents occurred at different locations across the state's disturbed terrain and have intensified fears among tribal communities who have been living under siege-like conditions for months.
According to officials, the first attack hit a Kuki-dominated village in the Senapati district area, where armed assailants opened fire on residents, killing two people. The second incident took place at another settlement in the Chandel district vicinity, where a similar attack left two more dead. Police have not yet identified the attackers, but local sources suspect involvement of unidentified armed groups operating from forested areas along the inter-state border.
Manipur has been grappling with one of the longest-running ethnic conflicts in northeastern India since May 2023, when violence erupted between the predominantly Meitei community of the Imphal Valley and the Kuki-Zo tribal groups of the hills. The unrest, which began over demands for Scheduled Tribe status by Meitei groups, quickly escalated into widespread killings, arson, and forced displacements. More than 250 people have been confirmed dead, hundreds of thousands have been displaced, and large parts of the state remain under heavy security deployment.
The Chief Minister's office issued a statement condemning the attacks and directing immediate action. A senior police official said a special task force has been deployed to track down those responsible. Meanwhile, Kuki community leaders and civil society organizations have demanded enhanced protection for hill settlements, accusing the state government of failing to provide adequate security in the aftermath of repeated attacks.
Medical supplies are already scarce in many displaced camps, and the latest violence has further strained humanitarian efforts. Human rights groups have called for an immediate cessation of hostilities and renewed dialogue between the two communities, warning that the cycle of retaliation threatens to unravel any fragile peace remaining in the state.
