Assailants Gun Down Two Kuki-Zo Women in Manipur

The bodies of Phalneichong (Chonga) Sitlhou, 76, and Kimjalhing (Kimboi) Singson, 30, were found in Leijangphai near Muktokhal on Tuesday afternoon. The two women were shot while engaged in routine farm activities.

The incident happened around 3 pm, with authorities quoting locals as saying that a few kutcha farmhouses were also set on fire. Singson had just returned home after her nursing course to assist her parents in farming. She was found dead with multiple gunshot wounds, and Sitlhou suffered non-fatal injuries.

Previous Attacks in the Region

On Sunday, four people, including two women, were killed and a few others injured in separate attacks on Kuki settlements in Tamenglong district. The Kuki-Zo Council (KZC) has condemned these incidents as an alarming pattern.

"The continued targeting of civilians raises concerns about attempts to terrorise and drive Kuki-Zo communities from their settlements," said the KZC. "We urge the Manipur government and the Centre to protect vulnerable communities, bring the perpetrators to justice, and take firm, lawful action against armed groups attacking civilians."

Naga Village Authority Neighbouring Kaimai

The Naga Village Authority of the neighbouring Kaimai settlement has expressed concern that these attacks could create suspicion and division among communities in the region. It urged all to exercise restraint and community leaders and CSOs to reaffirm peace and understanding.

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Context of Ethnic Conflict in Manipur

The ethnic conflict in Manipur, which began in May 2023, has said hundreds of lives and left thousands homeless. The Kuki-Zo Council has been urging the government to take firm action against armed groups attacking civilians.

Key Background and Context

Just two days after four Kuki-Zo civilians were gunned down The incident happened around 3 pm in Leijangphai near Muktokhal on Tuesday, sources shared. The deceased has been identified as Phalneichong (Chonga) Sitlhou. 76, wife of late Seidou Sitlhou, and Kimjalhing (Kimboi) Singson, 30, daughter of Paosei Singson.

The two were engaged in routine activities on the farm when they were ambushed Singson. It is learnt, had just returned home after her nursing course to assist her parents in farming. Authorities, quoting locals shared, few kutcha farmhouses were also set on fire The Jiribam-Tamenglong region alone has seen three attacks this week.

On Sunday, four people, including two women, were killed and few others injured in two separate attacks on the Kuki settlements of Longpi and Tollen — also in Tamenglong district. The Kuki-Zo Council (KZC) has condemned the attacks, calling them an alarming pattern.

“The continued targeting of civilians raises concerns about attempts to terrorise and drive Kuki-Zo communities from their settlements,” it said. It also urged the Manipur government and the Centre to protect vulnerable communities. Bring the perpetrators to justice, and take firm, lawful action against armed groups attacking civilians.

In addition, the Council has also released a directive urging Civil Society Organisations of the Kuki-Zo community, until further notice, not to bury the victims, whom they say are allegedly killed The mortal remains of every such victim shall instead be preserved in the nearest available cold-storage facility until further directions are released Following Sunday’s incident, the Naga Village Authority of the neighbouring Kaimai settlement described the perpetrators as an unidentified group and expressed concern that the attacks could create suspicion and division among communities in the region. It urged all to exercise restraint, and community leaders and CSOs to reaffirm peace and understanding.

Interestingly, the settlement of Leijangphai has been contested over The ethnic conflict that erupted in Manipur in May 2023 has said hundreds of lives and has left thousands homeless. Just two days after four Kuki-Zo civilians were gunned down The incident happened around 3 pm in Leijangphai near Muktokhal on Tuesday, sources shared.

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The deceased has been identified as Phalneichong (Chonga) Sitlhou. 76, wife of late Seidou Sitlhou, and Kimjalhing (Kimboi) Singson, 30, daughter of Paosei Singson. The two were engaged in routine activities on the farm when they were ambushed Singson.

It is learnt, had just returned home after her nursing course to assist her parents in farming. Authorities, quoting locals shared, few kutcha farmhouses were also set on fire On Sunday, four people. This includes two women, were killed and few others injured in two separate attacks on the Kuki settlements of Longpi and Tollen — also in Tamenglong district.

The Kuki-Zo Council (KZC) has condemned the attacks, calling them an alarming pattern. “The continued targeting of civilians raises concerns about attempts to terrorise and drive Kuki-Zo communities from their settlements,” it said. It also urged the Manipur government and the Centre to protect vulnerable communities.

Bring the perpetrators to justice, and take firm, lawful action against armed groups attacking civilians. In addition, the Council has also released a directive urging Civil Society Organisations of the Kuki-Zo community, until further notice, not to bury the victims, whom they say are allegedly killed The mortal remains of every such victim shall instead be preserved in the nearest available cold-storage facility until further directions are released Following Sunday’s incident, the Naga Village Authority of the neighbouring Kaimai settlement described the perpetrators as an unidentified group and expressed concern that the attacks could create suspicion and division among communities in the region.

It urged all to exercise restraint, and community leaders and CSOs to reaffirm peace and understanding. Interestingly, the settlement of Leijangphai has been contested over The ethnic conflict that erupted in Manipur in May 2023 has said hundreds of lives and has left thousands homeless.