Five Kuki men killed in Manipur within 24 hours
The deaths occurred amid rising tensions between Kuki and Naga communities and protests regarding the Suspension of Operations ceasefire agreement.
Five men from the Kuki community were killed in Manipur within a 24-hour period, according to reports from Deccan Chronicle, Deccan Herald and Scroll. Three men died during a gunfight between unidentified armed groups in Noney district on Saturday, while the bodies of two others, who had been missing since October 28, were recovered on Sunday.
The three men killed in Noney were identified by police as Thanglensang Singson, Thangkhosei Haokip and Lamminsang Kipgen. The Kuki Inpi Manipur described them as village volunteers and called the killings an unprovoked assault. Security forces recovered automatic assault rifles, a drone, ammunition and explosives at the site.
The two men found on Sunday were identified as 21-year-old Thangginlun Congloi and 20-year-old Paoginlal Hangsing. They had gone missing from Taphou Kuki village in Senapati district. Their bodies were recovered from an area along NH-2 in Kangpokpi district.
Kuki organisations have alleged the involvement of Naga separatist groups, including the NSCN-IM and Zeliangrong United Front-Kamson, though the NSCN-IM has denied involvement. The Kuki Human Rights Forum has demanded a proper investigation into the attacks.
These killings occurred as thousands of people held rallies in Imphal and other districts. Meitei and Naga organisations have demanded the abrogation of the Suspension of Operations agreement between the government and Kuki armed groups. Deputy Chief Ministers Nemcha Kipgen and Losii Dikho both condemned the killings.