Fresh violence was reported in Manipur’s Tamenglong district on Tuesday, September 15, after two women from the Kuki community were shot dead in Leisangphai village. The incident comes just two days after four people were killed in separate attacks in Tamenglong and neighbouring Noney district, adding to concerns over renewed violence in the region.
According to officials cited by multiple reports, the two women had gone to an isolated field to collect firewood when armed attackers allegedly opened fire on them. The victims were identified as 60-year-old Chonga Sitlhou and 30-year-old Kimboi Singson.
Their bodies were later found in the field with gunshot injuries and were recovered by local villagers. Officials said several other villagers were also reportedly unaccounted for, although their status had not been officially confirmed at the time of reporting.
Farmhouses Set Ablaze
The attack was accompanied by the alleged torching of several kutcha farmhouses located outside the village. The latest violence has heightened apprehension among residents in remote settlements, where access to security and emergency services can be difficult.
Authorities are expected to investigate the circumstances surrounding the killings and the fires. No definitive attribution for the attack was established in the reports, and allegations about the perpetrators remain subject to investigation.
The incident has also renewed attention on the security situation in parts of Tamenglong, where isolated communities have faced fresh attacks in recent days.
Four Killed in Attacks Two Days Earlier
The latest killings followed two separate attacks reported on September 13, in which four people were killed in Tamenglong and Noney districts.
At Tollen village in Tamenglong, police said 46-year-old Lhingzangai Sinshit was killed during an early-morning attack. Her husband, Seineh Singsit, and their six-year-old son sustained bullet injuries.
The injured family members were taken towards Silchar Medical College in Assam for medical treatment. Seineh later died from his injuries while being transported, while their six-year-old son continued receiving treatment.
A separate attack was reported at Longpi village in neighbouring Noney district on the same day, where two people were also killed, according to reports. The incidents prompted condemnation from civil society groups and calls for stronger protection of civilians.
Security Concerns Grow in Remote Settlements
The sequence of attacks has intensified concerns about the safety of civilians living in remote areas of Manipur. The latest incident is particularly significant because the victims were reportedly attacked while carrying out an everyday activity in an agricultural area away from the main settlement.
Local residents have expressed concern over the safety of villagers and the reported disappearance of people following the latest attack. However, authorities have yet to provide confirmation regarding the number of people missing or establish the identities of those responsible.
The Kuki Youth Organisation Women’s Council has condemned the recent violence and called for stronger security measures, particularly for women, children and other vulnerable civilians.
Fresh Setback to Peace Efforts
Manipur has remained affected by prolonged ethnic tensions since violence erupted in May 2023. While security and political efforts have sought to reduce tensions, periodic incidents continue to raise questions about the protection of civilians in vulnerable areas.
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The latest killings in Tamenglong come at a particularly sensitive moment following the deaths reported on September 13. The back-to-back incidents have increased anxiety among communities in the affected districts and prompted renewed demands for effective security measures.
For now, the circumstances surrounding the Leisangphai attack remain under investigation. Establishing the identities of the attackers, determining the motive and ensuring accountability will be central to efforts to prevent further escalation.
The latest violence also underscores the continuing humanitarian and security challenges facing communities in conflict-affected parts of Manipur, where civilians remain vulnerable despite repeated calls for peace and stability.
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