Manipur: Fresh gunfight in Ukhrul; 4 injured

After a brief lull, tensions flared up again in Manipur’s Ukhrul district following a fresh gunfight between armed groups on Tuesday, leaving at least four persons injured.
Sources said the clash occurred around 10:30 a.m. at Ringui under Litan police station, involving armed groups from the Tangkhul Naga and Kuki communities. A highly placed source said at least four persons were injured, while the Ringui Village Protection Committee confirmed that two Naga Village Guard (NVG) members sustained severe injuries. However, the identities and exact condition of the injured could not be independently verified.
In a statement, Ringui Village Protection Committee alleged that the gunfight erupted after Kuki armed groups operating under the Suspension of Operation (SoO) pact attacked NVGs who were monitoring the area along Ringui Horei. It claimed the incident took place within the jurisdiction of Ringui village and triggered panic among residents.
It further alleged that repeated attacks in the area had forced civilians, including women and children, to live in fear and uncertainty. It warned that continued aggression could escalate tensions and seriously threaten peace and stability in the region, and appealed to the authorities to intervene and ensure security.
TNL condemns: Condemning the incident, the Working Committee of the Tangkhul Naga Long (TNL) confirmed that four NVG members were injured and described the attack as “brutal and unprovoked”. It alleged that NVGs on patrol within Ringui jurisdiction were fired upon by armed Kuki militants who had set up bunkers about 5–6 km from the village.
TNL also pointed out that this was the second such attack within a week, recalling an earlier incident between Sirarakhong and Sinakeithei in which one NVG member was killed and four others injured.
KCSOWC reacts: Meanwhile, Kuki Civil Society Organisations Working Committee (KCSOWC) Ukhrul, said that the exchange of fire occurred when village volunteers were preventing a suspected intrusion into Kuki village land near the Kampa Mol ridge.
According to the committee, volunteers conducting a preventive patrol encountered suspected intruders within their village boundaries, leading to the gunfight.