Manipur Violence: Three Kuki Men Killed in Fresh Gunfight Between Armed Groups

Three men from the Kuki community were killed in a fresh gunfight between unidentified armed groups in Manipur’s Noney district on Saturday, November 1, 2026. A police official confirmed the deaths to Scroll. The incident has increased tensions between the Kuki and Naga communities in the state. With these deaths, the number of people killed in clashes between Naga and Kuki groups since February has reached 66.

The three victims were identified as Thanglensang Singson, Thangkhosei Haokip and Lamminsang Kipgen. All three were from Churachandpur district. According to the Kuki Inpi Manipur, an organisation representing the Kuki community, the men were village volunteers. The exact reason behind the latest gunfight was not immediately clear.

Protests Over Safety of Missing Kuki Civilians

The killings took place amid growing tension in Manipur. Two Kuki civilians were allegedly abducted by armed militants from Taphou Kuki village on Wednesday. They are still missing. On Saturday, members of the Kuki-Zo community from Kangpokpi district held a protest rally organised by the Committee on Tribal Unity. They reportedly demanded the safe release of the two missing civilians.

The Kuki Inpi Manipur blamed the state government for failing to provide proper security to Kuki-Zo communities in vulnerable areas. The organisation reportedly said the killing of the three village volunteers was a result of the lack of security. The incident has raised fresh concerns about the safety of people living in the affected areas.

Rally in Imphal Against Suspension of Operations Agreement

At the same time, thousands of people from Meitei organisations held a rally in Imphal. They reportedly demanded that the government end the Suspension of Operations (SoO) agreement with Kuki-Zo armed groups. Naga civil society organisations also organised rallies in several hill districts in support of the demand. They accused Kuki-Zo militant groups of being involved in violence and called for the agreement to be cancelled.

The SoO agreement was signed in 2008 between the Centre, the Manipur government and two groups of Kuki militant organisations, the Kuki National Organisation and the United Peoples Front. Under this agreement, security forces and militant groups are not allowed to launch operations against each other. The agreement also requires militant groups to follow the law and stay in camps approved by the Union government. It was renewed in September 2025.

The latest killings come amid the continuing ethnic conflict in Manipur, which began in May 2023 between the Meitei and Kuki-Zo-Hmar communities. According to information presented in the Manipur Assembly in September, at least 306 people have been killed and 49 remain missing since the violence began. Around 60,000 people were displaced, of whom 24,000 were still living in relief camps. The fresh gunfight has added to concerns about rising violence and the security situation in the state.