Three killed in twin firing incidents in Manipur’s Ukhrul district

Three people were killed in two separate firing incidents between rival tribal groups in Manipur’s Ukhrul district. The violence comes amid rising tensions in the region, with both Naga and Kuki organisations making claims over recent attacks

Imphal: Three persons were killed in two separate incidents of firing between armed groups of rival tribal communities in Manipur’s Ukhrul district on Friday morning, officials said.

In one incident near Mullam village, security forces recovered two bodies around 11.25 am, they said.

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The deceased, identified as L Sitlhou and P Haolai, were found in camouflage outfits with bullet injuries, officials added.

Earlier, a heavy exchange of fire broke out between armed militants at Mullam village in the Tangkhul Naga-majority district around 5.30 am.

Some outlying houses in the village were also set on fire by militants.

Meanwhile, the Kuki Organisation for Human Rights Trust condemned the killing of “two village volunteers” and the burning of houses at Mullam and Songphal villages.

The organisation demanded immediate registration of an FIR and a time-bound investigation into the incident.

In a separate incident, a 29-year-old man, identified as H Jamang from Chatric Khullen in Kamjong district, was killed on the spot in an ambush by armed militants near Sinakeithei village in Ukhrul district early on Friday morning, officials said.

The body has been recovered, they added.

The Tangkhul Naga Long, the apex body of the Tangkhul Naga community, expressed “profound sadness” over Jamang’s killing.

In a statement, the organisation said, “Following constant movement and disruption along Sirarakhong and Sinakeithei (in Ukhrul district) by armed Kuki cadres, Naga village guards were posted near Sirarakhong and had gone out on patrol when they were ambushed by Kukis.”

Tension had been brewing in the district and neighbouring Kamjong district after suspected militants killed two Tangkhul Naga civilians, including a retired Army personnel, in an ambush on a civilian convoy at TM Kasom in Ukhrul district on April 18.

Tangkhul Naga bodies have claimed Kuki militants to be behind the killing, while Kuki organisations have denied any involvement in the ambush.