India
Three Kuki Men Killed in Manipur Gunfire Amid Rally Demanding End to SoO Pact
Three Kuki men were killed in a fresh exchange of gunfire between unidentified armed groups in Manipur’s Noney district on Saturday. The shooting, which occurred around 10 a.m. at Kekru Naga village under Nungba police station, resulted in the deaths of Thanglensang Singson, Thangkhosei Haokip and Lamminsang Kipgen, all residents of villages in Churachandpur district. Police said the incident was the first fatality in three days of sporadic gunfire in the area, which has been reported since October 29. Security forces were deployed to maintain law and order. Weapons and explosives, including four automatic assault rifles, a single‑barrel rifle, a drone, ammunition and improvised explosives, were recovered from the site.
At the same time, thousands of people, including members of Meitei and Naga organisations, gathered in Imphal for a rally demanding the scrapping of the Suspension of Operations (SoO) agreement with Kuki‑Zo armed groups and greater protection for local communities. The rally, organised by groups such as the Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI), United Naga Council (UNC), Joint Tribes Council (JTC) and others, was one of the largest public gatherings in Manipur since ethnic violence erupted in 2023. Participants adopted a six‑point resolution calling for an immediate end to the Centre’s “proxy war,” the deployment of a neutral security force along the India‑Myanmar border, the dismantling of designated camps, seizure of weapons, and permanent rehabilitation of internally displaced people. The resolution also demanded the implementation of the National Register of Citizens with 1951 as the base year and the removal of deputy chief minister Nemcha Kipgen from the cabinet.
The conflict between Meitei and Kuki communities has claimed at least 306 lives, while clashes between Kuki and Naga groups have killed around 50 people since February. The rally began at Tiddim Ground and ended at Thangmeiband Athletic Union ground in Imphal West. Police placed barricades at Keisampat junction, near Lok Bhavan, the chief minister’s office and the BJP state office, preventing the procession from moving further. No untoward incident was reported. The Committee on Tribal Unity also held a parallel rally in Kangpokpi, citing threats to civilian lives and continued injustice against the Kuki‑Zo community.
Frequently asked questions
How many Kuki men were killed in the Manipur gunfire incident?
Three Kuki men were killed.
Where did the gunfire exchange take place?
The exchange occurred around 10 a.m. at Kekru Naga village under Nungba police station in Manipur’s Noney district.
What were the main demands of the rally in Imphal?
The rally demanded the scrapping of the Suspension of Operations (SoO) agreement with Kuki‑Zo armed groups, deployment of a neutral security force along the India‑Myanmar border, dismantling of designated camps, seizure of weapons, permanent rehabilitation of internally displaced people, implementation of the National Register of Citizens with 1951 as the base year, and removal of deputy chief minister Nemcha Kipgen from the cabinet.