Daijiworld Media Network - Imphal

Imphal, Sep 15: In fresh violence in Manipur, two Kuki women were shot dead on Tuesday allegedly by cadres of a Naga armed group at Leisangphai in the Jiribam district, according to officials.

Police reported that the victims were gathering firewood on their farm when armed cadres opened fire on them, killing both instantly. The deceased were identified as 60-year-old Chonga Sitlhou and 28-year-old Ng. Kimneo Singson, a recent nursing graduate who had returned home to help her parents with farming.

Community Outrage and Burial Prohibition

Kuki community organizations blamed the NSCN-IM and ZUF-K for the attack, noting that it formed part of a surge of violence against Kuki civilians across the Jiribam, Tamenglong, and Noney districts.

In response, the Kuki-Zo Council (KZC), an apex community body, issued a directive instructing all civil society organizations across Kuki-Zo-inhabited districts that no victims killed by Naga armed groups shall be buried until further notice.

"The mortal remains of every such victim shall instead be preserved in the nearest available cold-storage facility until further directions are issued by the Kuki-Zo Council," the notification stated. "This decision is a deliberate and collective measure of protest and resistance against the continuing killing of Kuki-Zo civilians and the failure to ensure justice and accountability."

Another major tribal organization, the Kuki Inpi Manipur (KIM), strongly condemned the unprovoked killings, noting that six Kuki villagers had reportedly been killed over the preceding three days.

Appeals for Government Action

Questioning the silence of security authorities, the KIM statement asked, "Where are the Central and state Governments? How much longer will the authorities remain silent in the face of repeated attacks on innocent Kuki-Zo civilians?"

While emphasizing that the Kuki community has exercised restraint to preserve inter-community peace with Nagas who desire peaceful coexistence, the KIM warned that continued targeting of civilians and a lack of official protection are pushing the region toward a dangerous threshold.

The organization urged the Central and state governments to act decisively to halt further attacks, secure vulnerable villages, and bring perpetrators to justice, confirming that the families will withhold claiming the victims' mortal remains until justice is delivered.