New Delhi: Three Meitei men collecting firewood in a forest in Manipur were killed Monday, with Meitei groups blaming “Kuki militants” for the attack. The killings triggered protests by local residents who placed the bodies of two of the victims outside the chief minister’s official residence in Imphal.
Manipur has been reeling under ethnic conflict since 3 May 2023, when violence first broke out between two of the three dominant communities of the state, Meiteis and Kukis.
There was a brief let-up in violence after President’s Rule was imposed last February following the resignation of then chief minister N.Biren Singh. But tensions flared up again after President’s rule ended in February this year and Yumnam Khemchand Singh was appointed the chief minister. This time, ethnic clashes erupted between Kukis and Nagas.
At least 300 people, across the three communities, have been killed in the violence since 2023, and more than 60,000 people have been displaced.
Referring to the incident Monday, a senior police officer from Manipur told ThePrint that three men were killed and a few others injured as suspected militants allegedly opened fire on a group of firewood collectors at the border of Imphal East and Kangpokpi districts.
The incident took place a few metres from Nongshum village in Imphal East at around 9.40 am. Security forces rushed to the spot following the attack, while the injured were taken to a hospital in Imphal for treatment.
Taking to X, Meitei Heritage Society blamed “Kuki militants” for the attack.
“UNLF(P) camp located in the area was relocated in June 2026, despite protest by villagers, who anticipated such attacks by the Kuki militants. Since the villagers had already flagged such attacks, our CM Y Khemchand Singh should answer why security was provided. It is high time people in positions are made accountable,” it said in a statement.
Adding, “Preaching peace at the cost of human lives is unacceptable, neither will it be politically tenable. At least for your own political stake, please act! Hunt down the Kuki militants and eliminate them.”
Also Read: Kuki woman killed, husband injured in ambush by suspected Naga militants in Manipur’s Kamjong
CM chairs security meeting
Bodies of two Meitei men killed in the attack were brought by angry local residents and left outside the main gate of Manipur chief minister’s official bungalow, said a member of Meitei Heritage Society.
He added that police fired several rounds of tear gas shells to disperse the protesters.
“…following which the bodies were taken to the Jawaharlal Nehru Institute of Medical Sciences (JNIMS),” said the police officer quoted earlier. Security was tightened in and around the chief minister’s residence following the incident. Movement along the route near the bungalow was restricted, with people prevented from passing through the area.
Later in the day, the chief minister chaired a security meeting and issued a statement condemning the “killing of innocent civilians by armed miscreants at Nongshum”.
The meeting was attended by Chief Secretary Rajeev Singh Thakur, Security Advisor Kuldiep Singh, DGP Mukesh Singh, Commissioner (Home) and high-ranking officers of the Army, Assam Rifles, CRPF, BSF and other security agencies.
Chaired a security meeting at the Cabinet Hall of my Secretariat, Babupara, today along with Hon'ble Home Minister Shri Govindas Konthoujam. I strongly condemned the killing of innocent civilians by armed miscreants at Nongshum, Imphal East, today.
The meeting reviewed the… pic.twitter.com/Qgah9BbTKs
— Khemchand Yumnam (@YKhemchandSingh) October 19, 2026
Deputy CM Nemcha Kipgen, too, issued a statement condemning the attack.
In it, she urged law enforcement and the administration to act swiftly and bring the perpetrators of the attack to justice. She also appealed to citizens to maintain calm, reject rumours and refrain from retaliatory violence.
— Nemcha Kipgen (@KipgenNemcha) October 19, 2026
What Kuki-Zo body said
Meanwhile, the Khamenlok Area Core Committee (KACCO) expressed shock and grave concern over the incident.
“We offer our deepest condolences and mourn the demise of the deceased with the bereaved families. Having suffered the devastation of our own area being burnt down on June 2-4, 2023, the residents of the Khamenlok Area have clung to a shared hope for rehabilitation, rebuilding, and a peaceful coexistence,” it said in a statement.
Adding, “This unfortunate and senseless act of violence, perpetrated by unknown miscreants, has deeply shattered the hopes of our residents and threatens the fragile peace we have been striving to restore. The KACCO stands firm in its desire for peace. We have consistently made every effort to maintain harmony, foster understanding, and prevent conflict in our region. Violence has never been and will never be a solution to any problem.”
Further, the Kuki-Zo body appealed to all stakeholders, including the government, security forces, and the general public, to “take immediate steps to protect and safeguard the region”.
“Innocent civilians across communities must be allowed to live without constant fear, threat, and insecurity. Furthermore, we call upon everyone, including those responsible for such senseless acts, to respect human life and cease actions that deepen communal mistrust,” it said.
The KACCO also issued a caution regarding “malicious elements” who may seek to “exploit this tragedy”.
“There is a grave possibility that vested interests and miscreants might attempt to falsely pin the blame for this incident on the KACCO and the Kuki-Zo community residing in the region to instigate further violence and communal polarization,” it said.
(Edited by Amrtansh Arora)