Manipur: Four Nagas killed by unidentified militants in Ukhrul

Four Tangkhul Nagas were killed in a suspected ambush by unidentified militants near New Haven village in Manipur’s Ukhrul district on Friday afternoon, a police officer told Scroll.

The village is located along the Imphal-Ukhrul highway and falls under the jurisdiction of Litan police station.

The four persons were identified as Kapanghkhui RS, Haolei RS, August Ngalung and Khanmila.

The deaths came a day after a Kuki woman was killed in a firing incident at Taphou Kuki village in Senapati district on Thursday, The Indian Express reported. It is close to Kangpopki district.

The deaths take the toll in clashes between Naga and Kuki groups in Manipur since February to 72.

This followed the ethnic clashes that broke out in Manipur in May 2023 between the Meitei and Kuki-Zo-Hmar communities.

At least 306 persons have been killed and 49 are missing in Manipur since the beginning of the ethnic violence in the state in May 2023, the Assembly was informed in September. About 60,000 persons were displaced during the violence. Of them, 36,000 persons had been resettled and 24,000 remained in relief camps across Manipur.

Inputs from Rokibuz Zaman. Edited by Sneha.

Read more: Why newfound warmth between Meiteis and Nagas may not advance cause of Manipur peace