A fresh armed attack in Manipur’s Tamenglong district has triggered renewed concerns over civilian safety, after a woman was killed and her husband and six-year-old son were injured in an early-morning shooting at Tollen village along National Highway-37 (NH-37). The incident took place amid continuing tensions in parts of the state.
According to preliminary reports, unidentified attackers opened fire on a family at Tollen village at around 4 am on Sunday. The woman, identified as Nu Lhingzangai Singsit, sustained fatal bullet injuries during the attack.
Her husband, Seineh Singsit, was also shot and suffered serious injuries. Their six-year-old son was wounded as well, while two other children from the family reportedly managed to escape unharmed.
Assam Rifles personnel from the nearby Kaimai base responded to the incident and evacuated the injured father and son towards Jiribam for urgent medical treatment. The attack has raised fresh concerns about security along the NH-37 corridor, a strategically important road connecting Imphal with Jiribam.
Security Concerns Along NH-37
Tollen, also spelled Tolen, is located in the Tamenglong West (Tousem) Sub-Division of Tamenglong district. The village lies along NH-37 and is situated near settlements including Kaimai and Oinamlong.
The latest violence has once again highlighted the vulnerability of civilians living in remote settlements along the highway. The corridor remains important for movement between Imphal and Jiribam, making security in the surrounding areas a significant concern for residents and authorities.
The circumstances surrounding the attack remain under investigation. The identities of the assailants have not been officially established, and authorities have yet to determine the precise motive behind the shooting.
Kuki Groups Demand Impartial Probe
The Kuki Youth Organisation (KYO) Women’s Council strongly condemned the killing and called for an immediate, impartial and comprehensive investigation.
The organisation demanded that those responsible be identified and prosecuted on the basis of credible evidence and due process. It also called for stronger intelligence gathering and preventive security measures to protect civilians from further attacks.
The Kuki Inpi Jiribam, Tamenglong and Noney (JTN) also condemned the incident. The organisation alleged that suspected Naga militants were behind the attack, although that allegation has not been independently established.
The group questioned how the shooting could have taken place reportedly only a few hundred metres from a security force deployment. It sought greater accountability regarding security arrangements in the area and called for stronger protection for residents.
Demand For NIA Investigation
Kuki Inpi JTN demanded that the case be handed over to the National Investigation Agency (NIA) for what it described as an impartial and thorough investigation.
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The organisation also called for permanent deployment of adequate security personnel at Tollen, arguing that stronger security presence was necessary to protect civilians and prevent further violence.
It issued a 24-hour ultimatum to the government, demanding concrete action. The organisation also announced a 24-hour economic blockade in protest and warned that failure to meet its demands could lead to an indefinite total shutdown.
Village Authority Urges Restraint
The Kaimai Village Authority also condemned the attack and appealed for a thorough and impartial investigation.
The authority urged communities in the region to exercise restraint and called on community leaders and civil society organisations to strengthen efforts aimed at preserving peace and mutual understanding.
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The appeal comes against the backdrop of long-standing ethnic tensions in Manipur, where violence has repeatedly raised concerns over the safety of civilians and the possibility of renewed community tensions.
Attack Took Place On Black Day
The incident occurred on September 13, a day observed as “Black Day” by the Kuki community to commemorate lives lost and suffering endured during violent events involving Kuki and Naga communities in the 1990s.
The timing has added sensitivity to the latest attack, with community organisations warning against actions that could deepen mistrust or trigger further confrontation.
The identity of the attackers and the full circumstances surrounding the shooting remain unclear. Authorities are expected to investigate the incident and establish responsibility based on evidence.
A separate report by The Indian Express later said that the injured husband, Seineh Singsit, subsequently succumbed to his injuries, which would raise the death toll from the Tollen attack to two.
The latest incident underscores continuing security challenges in vulnerable areas of Tamenglong and along NH-37. Calls for an impartial investigation, stronger security deployment and restraint from all communities have intensified as authorities work to establish the facts behind the violence.
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