Three Kuki Youths Killed in Gunfight at Noney District Village

Three members of the Kuki community were killed in a gunfight between rival armed groups in Manipur’s Noney district on Saturday. The clash erupted in the forest‑covered Kekru Naga village on the morning of October 31. Shots were exchanged for several hours before police confirmed the three deaths. Police said necessary security measures have been put in place around the area. The Kuki Inpi Manipur (KIM), the apex body of the Kuki community, issued a strong condemnation of the killings. In its statement, KIM blamed Naga militant groups for the incident. The organisation demanded justice, accountability and immediate action from the state government. Local authorities have not yet released details about the identities of the rival groups involved. The incident adds to the pattern of ethnic‑based violence that has troubled Manipur in recent years. Community leaders fear the deaths could spark further retaliation. Police continue to investigate the motive and the parties responsible. ## Context The killing occurred in a region where Kuki and Naga groups have a history of armed rivalry, and any escalation often prompts calls for heightened security and political intervention.