Manipur violence: Situation remains tense as death toll rises to nine, CM appeals for peace
To prevent further violence, bans under Section 162 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) were imposed in the village. File | Photo credit: X/@YKhemchandSingh
Tension reigned in Manipur on Sunday (October 11, 2026) after two days of armed conflict between the Kuki and Naga communities that claimed nine lives in three districts.
The unofficial toll stood at 11, with two members of the Kuki National Army-Burma, an armed group based in Myanmar, reportedly killed in a gunfight near the India-Myanmar border in Naga-dominated Kamjong district.
The violence started in Kamjong on Friday (October 10) night and spread to the inland areas of Kangpokpi-majority Kuki district on Saturday (October 10) afternoon.
Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh condemned the killing of civilians and the violence. “I have directed the relevant authorities to take immediate and effective steps to control the situation, restore peace and order and ensure the safety and security of all citizens,” he said.
The Chief Minister appealed to public officials and community organizations to exercise restraint and cooperate to mitigate the situation. He urged the people to favor peace, dialogue and harmony. He said additional security forces had been sent to Kamjong and Kangpokpi, the two worst-hit districts.
Leishiyo Keishing, Naga MLA representing Phungyar constituency in Kamjong, wrote to Minister of State for Home Konthoujam Govindas on Saturday (October 10), urging him to deploy adequate security personnel in the district to protect lives and public property.
The first victim of the latest spate of violence was a 42-year-old Kuki woman who was killed by unidentified gunmen in the village of Chassad Kuki in Kamjong on Friday evening. The killing led to a gunfight between the armed groups that continued till Saturday morning, during which a 22-year-old Kuki man was killed.
The spread of violence
The violence spread to other areas of the district on Saturday (October 10), resulting in the death of two Naga men. Almost simultaneously, suspected extremists killed a Gurkha farmer traveling to his rented farm in Naga-dominated Ukhrul district.
Hours later, four Nagas were killed in two separate attacks in Kangpokpi district. One of them was beheaded, locals said.
On Sunday (October 11), the All Naga Students’ Association condemned the “calculated terrorist attacks” against the Naga people by the “Kuki National Army-Burma, armed Kuki militants under the ceasefire pact with the Government of India and the Kuki Village Volunteer Eastern Zone in pursuit of their imaginary dream of Kukiland or a separate Union-based history.”
The student body also criticized the Manipur Police for allegedly claiming that the overall law and order situation remained normal during the previous 24 hours. “How can the government declare normal when Naga villages are under armed attack, civilians are being killed, houses are being set on fire and families are mourning their dead?” it asked.
Kuki organizations have in turn accused the Nagalim National Socialist Council or the Isak-Muivah faction of the NSCN of targeting members of their community.
More than 50 people have died since Kuki-Naga clashes in Manipur started over an alleged drunken brawl in February. More than half of them have been killed since 27 August.
Published – October 11, 2026 11:01 AM IST