Naga militants opened fire on a field near Leisangphai, killing 60‑year‑old Chonga Sitlhou and 30‑year‑old Kimboi Singson, and set multiple kutcha farmhouses ablaze — the bodies were later recovered by villagers, who reported gunshot wounds and a sudden blaze.
Two days earlier, militants had already claimed four lives, including two Kuki women, in Tamenglong and Noney districts. The pattern of attacks has escalated, with six Kuki civilians dead in just 48 hours, raising alarms over the safety of the community.
The Kuki Inpi Manipur issued a scathing statement, demanding accountability and demanding the state government intervene. They declared that the bodies of the two deceased women would not be claimed until justice is achieved and criticized the authorities for their silence.
This latest assault follows the May 2023 flare‑up between valley‑based Meitei and hill‑based Kuki groups, which has already cost 306 lives, left 49 missing, and displaced thousands of families.
In response, the state government is scheduled to convene a meeting with community leaders on September 18 to address security concerns and discuss potential protective measures for Kuki residents.