Kuki man killed in Manipur; shutdown paralyzes Imphal Valley

Educational institutions, shops and other commercial establishments remained closed in five districts of the Meitei-dominated Imphal Valley. File | Photo credit: ANI

Unidentified gunmen killed a Kuki villager in Manipur’s Kangpokpi district on Tuesday (October 20, 2026), a day after the killing of three Meitei men sparked outrage in the Imphal Valley.

The Committee for Tribal Unity, a Kuki organisation, has announced a 24-hour “total shutdown” in Kangpokpi from Tuesday (October 20, 2026) midnight to express collective anguish and demand justice, accountability, protection for the Kuki-Zo people and concrete measures to address their suffering.

Locals said Paolenmung Thangneo, a 44-year-old resident of P. Muolding village, had gone to the forest with another villager, Laldenga, to collect bamboo shoots when they were attacked at around 7am. Mr Thangneo succumbed to his injuries while Mr Laldenga escaped unhurt.

Municipal office P. Muolding blamed the Isak-Muivah faction of the Nagalim National Socialist Council (NSCN-IM) and the Zeliangrong United Front (Kamsong) for the attack. No group has yet claimed responsibility.

Meanwhile, educational institutions, shops and other commercial establishments remained closed in five districts of the Meitei-dominated Imphal Valley during a 48-hour strike called by the Manipur Tribal People’s Committee since Monday midnight to protest the killing of three Meitei civilians.

Three men were killed while collecting firewood in the jungle along the border between Kangpokpi and Imphal East districts.

Protesters blocked roads in some places and burnt effigies of Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh, Deputy Chief Minister Nemcha Kipgen and Home Minister Konthoujam Govindas. They held the government responsible for the deteriorating law and order situation and demanded the resignation of the three leaders.

CM meets INDIA bloc leaders

The Chief Minister met the leaders of the INDIA bloc led by former Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh to review the overall security situation in the state.

Opposition leaders expressed deep concern over the killing of civilians and urged him to call an all-party meeting in view of the prevailing situation. Mr. Singh assured them that he would look into the matter.

“We also had a constructive discussion on maintaining peace and making collective efforts to restore normalcy in the state,” the chief minister said.

Mr Ibobi Singh, a former Chief Minister and a Congress veteran, criticized Manipur’s BJP-led government over the ongoing violence and questioned its moral authority to remain in office. “It is regrettable that the Center has chosen to remain a silent spectator despite its ability to control armed groups,” he told reporters.

The latest wave of violence began on October 9 with the killing of a Kuki woman near the India-Myanmar border in Kamjong district. Eight more people were killed in Kamjong, Ukhrul and Kangpokpi districts over the next 24 hours, although unofficial reports put the number at 10.

Published – 20 Oct 2026 20:29 IST