Four dead in early‑morning gun clash in Manipur’s Noney district

Four people were killed in a pre‑dawn gunfight between rival armed groups in Taodaijang village, Noney district, Manipur. The clash began at about 3.30 a.m. and lasted several hours. Security personnel could not reach the area quickly because the groups kept firing at each other. The fighting involved the Jenchui faction of the Zeliangrong United Front (ZUF), the Kamson faction of the same front, and the National Socialist Council of Nagalim (NSCN‑Isak‑Muivah), whose Kamson and NSCN factions are allies. Locals said three of the dead were members of the ZUF‑Jenchui group and one belonged to the ZUF‑Kamson faction. Several others from all three groups were injured. No clear trigger for the gunfight was identified. The Rongmei Naga Luphuam, the top women’s body of the Rongmei community, urged all armed groups to stop the fighting. On the same day, the Committee on Tribal Unity, a Kuki‑Zo organisation, extended its shutdown in Kangpokpi district by another 48 hours to protest the government’s failure to deliver justice for two Kuki youths who were abducted and killed a few days earlier. The shutdown was set to finish at 5 p.m. on Wednesday.

Context

Manipur’s tribal areas have a history of armed rivalry between different Naga and Kuki factions, often sparking violent clashes that disrupt civilian life and draw security forces into prolonged standoffs.