Daijiworld Media Network - Imphal
Imphal, Oct 29: In a shocking act of violence, a 50-year-old village chief was brutally beaten to death, allegedly by militants of the United Kuki National Army (UKNA), in Manipur’s Churachandpur district on Monday.
The victim, identified as M Haokip, was the hereditary chief of T Khonomphai village in the Henglep sub-division. According to district officials, the assault took place in the village, and locals rushed Haokip to the district headquarters hospital in Churachandpur town. However, he succumbed to his injuries on the way.
Preliminary reports suggest that Haokip had multiple bruises and deep lacerations on his body, indicating that he was mercilessly thrashed with sticks and blunt objects. The motive behind the attack remains unclear, as neither the victim’s family nor the police have confirmed any specific reason. An FIR has been registered, and an investigation is underway, police said.
Despite a law passed in 1967 to abolish the traditional chieftainship system in Manipur, the practice continues in several hill districts, including Churachandpur.
The UKNA, which is not part of the umbrella group of 24 Kuki, Zomi, and Hmar militant outfits that renewed their Suspension of Operations (SoO) agreement with the Centre and state government earlier this year, has been active in the region. The SoO agreement, valid for one year, prevents any military action against signatory groups, provided they remain within designated camps and adhere to ground rules.
In July 2025, the UKNA was accused of launching an ambush on the Kuki National Army (KNA), killing its deputy chief and two other cadres. A civilian bystander also lost his life in the attack. In a statement circulated on social media, the UKNA had claimed the ambush was in retaliation for the alleged killing of one of its leaders and over 30 of its members by the rival KNA.
Earlier, in April 2024, the same outfit had claimed responsibility for an ambush on civilian fuel tankers along National Highway 37, connecting Manipur with Assam’s Silchar, underscoring its continued militant presence.
The latest incident occurred just days after a senior police officer in Churachandpur and his family were reportedly threatened online by unknown anti-social elements. Police confirmed that a case has been registered, and efforts are ongoing to trace those responsible.
“Any attempt to intimidate or obstruct police officers in the discharge of their lawful duties will not be tolerated,” the Manipur Police stated in a post on X (formerly Twitter).
This is not an isolated case of intimidation. In February 2025, the Kangpokpi Superintendent of Police, Manoj Prabhakar, had issued a directive to his personnel after receiving reports that certain illegal organisations were demanding money from police staff. Officers were instructed not to yield to any such monetary demands.
The series of violent and extortion-related incidents has once again highlighted the fragile security situation in Manipur’s hill districts, where militant rivalries and threats to law enforcement continue to pose serious challenges to peace and order.