Three Kuki villagers killed in fresh Manipur violence
Here's the thing about Manipur that you should track for current affairs. Unidentified gunmen killed three Kuki villagers, including a woman, and burned seven houses in Kangpokpi district early on Friday. The Kuki Inpi Manipur blamed Naga groups linked to the NSCN, though they haven't responded yet. So what's really going on is the Kuki, Naga, and Meitei tensions that have kept Manipur unstable since 2023. Why does this matter for you? Internal security and the use of Article 355, where the Centre protects states against internal disturbance, are recurring themes. Bottom line for the exam, keep Manipur's ethnic conflict and Article 355 on your radar.
Published- June 05, 2026 11:50 am IST - GUWAHATI
Security personnel stand guard in Imphal. Image used for representation purpose only.
Unidentified gunmen killed three Kuki villagers, including a woman, and torched seven houses in Manipur’s Kangpokpi district around 4 a.m. on Friday (June 5, 2026).
The incident occurred in Loibol Khullen, a small village in the Kuki-dominated district’s Saitu-Gamphazol subdivision.
The Kuki Inpi Manipur (KIM), the apex body of the Kuki community in Manipur, accused members of the National Socialist Council of Nagalim (NSCN) and its “proxy”, the Kamson faction of the Zeliangrong United Front.
The Naga groups have not reacted till the time of reporting.
“This reprehensible act of violence has resulted in the tragic killing of three innocent civilians — Letkhongam Haokip, his wife Tinmary Haokip, and Jangminlal Haokip — while seven houses were reduced to ashes and substantial damage was inflicted upon civilian properties,” the KIM stated in a statement condemning the attack.
“…The deliberate killing of innocent persons and the destruction of homes and livelihoods constitute a serious violation of human dignity and fundamental human rights. The deliberate targeting of civilians and the destruction of homes can never be justified under any circumstances,” the organisation said.
The KIM urged the Centre and the security agencies to probe the incident, apprehend the perpetrators, and ensure that justice is delivered without delay.
“The authorities must also take urgent measures to safeguard vulnerable villages and prevent further attacks on innocent civilians,” it said.
Officials in Imphal, said efforts were ongoing to find out who was behind Friday’s (June 5, 2026) attack, carried out less than 24 hours after the ANSAM launched a march from Ukhrul to a village in Kangpokpi district to meet the families of six Naga men missing soon after three church leaders were killed on May 13.
Two Kuki organisations opposed this march, saying it could trigger tension as the route meanders through Kuki-dominated areas.