Guwahati: A 40-year-old woman was killed and two men were injured in a broad daylight shooting at Taphou Kuki village in Manipur’s Kangpokpi district on Thursday, triggering panic among villagers and raising fresh concerns over the security situation in the region.
The victim was identified as Kimneineng Chongloi. The two injured men were identified as Sehngam Chongloi, alias David, 34, and Lamkhochon Chongloi, both residents of Taphou village. Sehngam was taken to the Regional Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS) in Imphal for further treatment.
The incident reportedly occurred around 11 am when villagers were harvesting paddy in their fields. Gunshots sent farmers running for safety, forcing them to abandon their agricultural work. Villagers also alerted travellers to avoid the affected stretch of National Highway 2.
Fresh gunfire was separately reported from the Sinakeithei area, although details surrounding both incidents and the identity of those responsible remained unclear.
The Committee on Tribal Unity (CoTU), Sadar Hills, strongly condemned the attack and accused the government of failing to take adequate action against armed groups. It alleged that armed militants belonging to Naga groups were responsible for the firing despite the presence of Central Reserve Police Force personnel in the area.
Manipur Deputy Chief Minister Nemcha Kipgen also condemned the killing, describing the victim as a defenceless Kuki-Zo woman who was working in the paddy fields. She expressed condolences to the bereaved family and concern over the injuries suffered by the two men.
Kipgen called for a prompt, thorough and impartial investigation and urged authorities to ensure that those responsible were brought to justice. She also appealed to communities to maintain peace.
Thursday’s shooting comes amid heightened tensions following the deaths of two 20-year-old youths, Paoginlal Hangsing and Tinginlun Chongloi, from the same village. They went missing on October 28, and their bodies were recovered on November 1 during search operations.
Their deaths triggered protests in Kangpokpi, with CoTU demanding administrative and security-related action, including a change in the police jurisdiction covering the affected area.
Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh had visited Taphou village days before Thursday’s shooting as tensions continued to prevail in the district.
