Two Kuki women were killed by armed assailants in Leisangphai village in Manipur's Chandel district on Tuesday, adding to the growing toll of one of India's longest-running ethnic conflicts. The incident also saw several farmhouses set ablaze in the surrounding area, raising fears of further escalation in the already volatile region.
The victims have been identified as Kimzalaha Singh Song and Phalancho Sitloh, both residents of Leisangphai village. According to local reports, Phalancho was gathering firewood in a nearby field when she was shot dead. The circumstances of Kimzalaha's death have also been described as involving gunfire in the same locality.
This latest violence underscores the persistent instability that continues to grip parts of Manipur, particularly the Chandel district, which has witnessed repeated cycles of attack and counter-attack between Kuki and Meitei communities. Security forces have been deployed in large numbers across the district, but the sheer size of the terrain and the involvement of multiple armed groups have made it difficult to fully contain the violence.
The Manipur government, while addressing the state legislative assembly, revealed that since the ethnic violence erupted on March 3, 2023, at least 306 people have lost their lives. Nearly 49 individuals remain missing and are presumed dead. On September 13 alone, four members of the Kuki community were killed in a separate attack, highlighting the frequency and severity of the killings.
Human rights organisations and local activists have repeatedly called for a sustained peace process, increased humanitarian access, and accountability for those responsible for the killings. However, progress has been slow, and many displaced families continue to live in relief camps with uncertain prospects of returning home.
The international community and national media attention on Manipur has waned over time, but the situation on the ground remains fragile. Residents report that sporadic violence, curfews, and movement restrictions continue to affect daily life in several parts of the state.
