2 more Naga men killed as ethnic violence flares up in Manipur again

Two Mao Naga men were shot dead in Kalenjang village, Senapati district, Manipur on Saturday afternoon. The incident occurred under the police station around 2.30pm, only hours after Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh left a nearby function. This is the latest violence in a Naga-Kuki conflict that has claimed over 40 lives since February this year. Two days ago, four Tangkhul Naga men were killed allegedly by Myanmar-based Kuki National Army (B) at Pilong village, near the international border in Kamjong district.

The escalating violence began in February following the inauguration of Yumnam Khemchand Singh's government. Since August 27, at least 21 people have been killed in Naga-Kuki clashes, including 11 Nagas and 10 Kukis - one of whom was pregnant. The toll remains separate from the Meitei-Kuki conflict, which has claimed over 300 lives.

Both the Nagas and Kukis accuse militant groups from the other side of the attacks, though these allegations have not been independently verified. United Naga Council (UNC), the apex body of Naga tribes in Manipur, had called off its 131-day economic blockade of National Highways NH-2 and NH-37 after a meeting with the home ministry and Manipur government in Guwahati on Saturday. The blockade was initiated following the abduction of six Liangmai Naga civilians in Kangpokpi district.

Congress president Okram Ibobi Singh accused the BJP-led NDA governments in the state and at the Centre of remaining silent spectators to civilian killings. He strongly condemned the killings of innocent civilians from Naga, Kuki, and Meitei communities, questioning the government's lack of concern. The government is behaving as if it is not concerned about the killings of civilians from any community, he said.