Fresh Tensions Erupt in Manipur; 10 Including Village Chiefs Assaulted by Militants
Imphal(The Uttam Hindu): Fresh tensions flared up between two tribal communities in Manipur's Kangpokpi district on Saturday after at least 10 people, including two prominent village leaders, were reportedly assaulted by suspected Kuki militants over a land dispute, officials confirmed. The injured individuals, including the two village chiefs, belong to the Naga community.
A police official in Imphal stated that the attack occurred on Saturday afternoon in Konsakhul village, when a mob of around 200 people, accompanied by armed Kuki militants, stormed the area and assaulted at least 10 residents, including the two village leaders. Locals reported that the militants, allegedly from the Kuki community, were believed to have come from Haraothel village, also in the same district. The two village chiefs—Aimson Abonmai (65) and D. Adam (40)—along with eight other villagers, sustained serious injuries and are being treated at various hospitals. Doctors have assured that both chiefs are now out of danger.
The Rongmei Naga Council strongly condemned the attack. According to the police, additional security forces have been deployed to the area to maintain peace. This unprovoked violence has intensified tensions between the communities, coming shortly after a previous incident that had already strained relations.
Earlier, on January 7, a tribal woman working on her farmland in Konsakhul was reportedly assaulted by armed Kuki militants, who also destroyed her mobile phone. This incident sparked widespread protests from the Liangmai tribal community and heightened tensions in the region. Just two days later, on January 9, unrest erupted in Konsakhul and nearby villages, with the Liangmai community protesting the continuous targeting of civilians and what they saw as the authorities' inaction.
The recent attack has raised further concerns about the deteriorating situation, despite peace efforts by the Centre. Saturday's incident occurred amid ongoing tripartite talks in New Delhi between Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) officials and representatives of the Meitei and Kuki-Zo communities, aimed at resolving the 23-month-long ethnic conflict in Manipur.
