Full Breakdown
Killing of Two Kuki Women Sparks Fresh Violence and Judicial Scrutiny in Manipur
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September 15 2026: Two Kuki Women Shot Dead in Leisangphai
Unidentified gunmen opened fire on women gathering firewood in Leisangphai village, Tamenglong district at about 3 p.m. on September 15 2026. The victims were Phalneichong alias Chonga Sitlhou, 78, and Kimjalhing alias Kimneo Singson, 28, who had just returned from nursing school to help with farming. Both were killed at the same spot. The attack followed the September 13 killings of four Kuki civilians, including two women, in Tamenglong and Noney districts.
Background & Context
The ethnic conflict in Manipur began on May 3 2023 after a tribal solidarity march opposed the Meitei community’s demand for Scheduled-Tribe status. Initially a Meitei-Kuki clash, it widened in February 2024 to involve the Naga community, leading to retaliatory attacks, house-burnings and civilian deaths. By September 2026 the conflict has claimed at least 306 lives.
Timeline
- August 27 2026 – Alleged Kuki armed groups killed four Naga civilians in Kangpokpi.
- September 13 2026 – Four Kuki civilians, two women, were killed in Tamenglong and Noney.
- September 15 2026 – Two Kuki women shot dead in Leisangphai; later that night militants attacked Chawangkining Naga village, burning two houses and exchanging fire with the CRPF until early morning.
- September 16 2026 – Security forces reported intermittent firing from 10:30 p.m. to 4:30 a.m.; no civilian casualties recorded.
- September 17 2026 – Supreme Court bench of Chief Justice Surya Kant, Justice Joymalya Bagchi and Justice V. Mohana heard petitions on unnatural deaths in IDP relief camps.
Data & Statistics
- GST revenue loss for Manipur (2023-2026): INR1,200 crore.
- Unnatural deaths in relief camps: 34 reported; post-mortems in 20 cases.
- Compensation to families: INR20,000-30,000 per case.
- SITs have lodged 3,020 cases; chargesheets in 302 matters; trials begun in 33 cases.
Official Statements & Responses
- The Kuki-Zo Council (KZC) called the September 15 killings an “unacceptable and alarming pattern” linked to the NSCN-IM and ZUF-K, demanding civilian protection and prosecution.
- Awangbou Newmai, Naga Peoples’ Front legislator, condemned the killings as “barbaric and senseless.”
- The Supreme Court expressed “shock” over camp deaths, directing the Manipur Chief Secretary to file an affidavit on investigations and to improve compensation and safety for IDPs.
- Aishwarya Bhati noted that the CBI has completed final reports in 28 of 31 cases, with only six of 900 witnesses examined.
On-the-Ground Reports
Villagers in Chawangkining said militants arrived around 10:30 p.m., fired for six hours and set two peripheral wooden houses ablaze. Residents confirmed the two Kuki women were found with gunshot wounds in the field where they had been working.
Verbatim Quotes
- “These kinds of barbaric and senseless acts will never bring any good things to any community,” — Awangbou Newmai
- “Our village was attacked around 10.30 p.m. and firing continued till 4 a.m. CRPF deployed in our village returned fire and prevented it from being overrun,” — Daniel Charenamai
What’s Next
The Supreme Court’s September 17 hearing will assess the state’s compliance with the Justice Gita Mittal committee’s recommendations on relief-camp safety and compensation, and will request a status report on the investigation of unnatural deaths.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
- Sources differ on the exact ages of the victims: *The Hindu* lists Sitlhou as 78, NDTV as 60, and *ThePrint* as 70.