Tree‑felling dispute ignites new Meitei‑Kuki clash in Manipur

Three Meitei men were shot dead on Oct 19 in the Khongbal Sunulok Hills of Manipur after gun‑wielding militants and village volunteers stopped their wood‑collecting vehicle, reigniting the long‑standing Meitei‑Kuki rivalry. Villagers had complained that Meitei groups were repeatedly felling trees and taking timber along the Imphal East‑Kangpokpi border, and asked local Kuki militants to intervene. Militants, suspected of ties to the Kuki National Front (Nehlun), opened fire, killing three, officials said. The Kuki National Front denied any role, while a security officer said the plan was only to scare or detain the men before it turned deadly. The incident comes as Kuki groups have been fighting Nagas for nine months and were trying to improve relations with Meiteis. Manipur Police arrested three village volunteers linked to the killings and recovered eight hidden weapons, one of which appears to have been fired recently. The probe also uncovered serious irregularities at the Sinai Camp in Semol village, a Kuki militant camp operating under the now‑expired Suspension of Operations pact. Although the camp is meant to house 159 registered KNA and KLA cadres, only 18 people were present, with 17 using false identities; all were arrested. Security seized 24 firearms and 38 magazines, while some ammunition remains missing. Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh inspected the camp on Oct 25. Surprise inspections of Kuki camps have been ongoing since the May killing of six abducted Nagas, and authorities now demand verification of all inmate identities or risk withholding government stipends.

Context

The Suspension of Operations agreement was meant to limit armed group activity while allowing them to receive state support; its lapse has led to tighter security checks and heightened tension between ethnic communities.