One man killed and four hurt in fresh armed clash in Manipur

A 36-year-old man died and four other people got hurt during a gunfight between armed groups from the Kuki and Naga communities in Manipur. The violence happened on Saturday afternoon around 2:30 pm in Chassad, which is a Kuki village located in the Kamjong district. The shooting between the groups went on until the evening.

Casualties

The village head, 48-year-old Thangjahou Haokip, along with four other men named Khailun Haokip, Seikhohou Haokip, Hegin Haokip, and Seipao Haokip, sustained injuries in the clash. Personnel from the Assam Rifles rescued all five men and took them to a hospital run by the paramilitary force in Chassad. Seikhohou Haokip later died from his injuries, while the others are currently receiving medical treatment.

Local Allegations And Reactions

People living in the area blamed the National Socialist Council of Nagaland-Isaac Muivah and Tangkhul militants from Myanmar for carrying out the attack, though these claims could not be independently verified. The Committee on Tribal Unity strongly condemned the violence against Chassad village and asked the state government to send central security forces to the region. The state government did not release any official statement regarding the incident.

Context

This deadly clash takes place against the backdrop of ongoing tensions and tribal violence between the Kuki and Naga communities in Manipur that has affected multiple districts since February. Clashes and armed attacks in the state have already resulted in more than 50 deaths and the burning of dozens of homes in recent months.