Two Kuki women killed in Manipur

Officials in the Naga-majority Tamenglong district confirmed that unidentified gunmen attacked Leisangphai village. File | Photo credit: ANI

The ongoing wave of ethnic violence in Manipur claimed two more lives on Tuesday (September 15, 2026). Officials in the Naga-majority Tamenglong district confirmed that unidentified gunmen attacked Leisangphai village around 3:00 p.m., killing two Kuki women.

Phalneichong alias Chonga Sitlhou, 78, was collecting firewood when the attackers fired at her. Kimjalhing alias Kimneo Singson, 28, who had returned home to help her parents with farming after completing a nursing course, was shot dead at the same location.

The attack followed the killing of four Kuki civilians, including two women, on September 13, allegedly by Naga extremists, in Tamenglong and Noney, also a Naga-dominated district. On August 27, alleged Kuki armed groups killed four Naga civilians in the Kuki-majority Kangpokpi district.

“Escalation Pattern”

The Kuki-Zo Council (KZC) condemned Tuesday’s attack, saying the repeated killings of Kuki-Zo civilians had assumed an “unacceptable and alarming pattern” and could no longer be treated as isolated incidents.

“The KZC views these killings, allegedly involving the (National Socialist Council of Nagalim (Isak-Muivah)) NSCN-IM and (Zeliangrong United Front (Kamson)) ZUF-K, as part of an escalating pattern of attacks against Kuki-Zo civilians in Manipur. The continued targeting of civilians in Manipur and their serious concerns about terrorist-Zo attacks is increasing settlements,” the Council said in a statement.

The council demanded that the Manipur and central governments protect vulnerable civilians, bring perpetrators to justice and take decisive and lawful action against armed groups attacking civilians.

“Kuki victims will not be buried”

To register its protest, the KZC has notified all Kuki-Zo civil society organizations that no Kuki-Zo person killed by Naga armed groups in Manipur will be buried until further notice. She said the mortal remains of any such victim would be kept in the nearest available cold storage facility until further instructions.

Saikul MLA Kimneo Hangshing condemned the incident and said the alleged involvement of armed cadres of the NSCN (IM) and ZUF (K), “if proved by investigation, constitutes a grave and heinous attack on innocent civilian lives”.

Violence in Manipur continues despite Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh’s repeated calls for restraint.

Published – 15 Sep 2026 21:52 IST