Situation remains tense in violence-hit Manipur as toll rises to nine, CM calls for peace

The violence in Manipur's hill districts continued on Sunday, with the death toll rising to nine, according to Chief Minister Y. Khemchand Singh's appeal for peace and restraint. The clashes occurred in Kamjong, Ukhrul, and Kangpokpi districts on October 9 and 10. The Chief Minister condemned the killing of innocent civilians and ordered authorities to restore peace and security.

Additional security forces were deployed to the worst-affected Kangpokpi and Kamjong districts. The fresh killings began after a woman, a mother of five, was shot dead in a Kuki-dominated village on October 9 night, sparking an exchange of fire between Kuki and Naga groups that lasted until Saturday. At least two more Naga village guards and another individual were killed in attacks on Tapon and Makui villages in Kangpokpi on Saturday.

Suspected militants also entered a Naga settlement near the India-Myanmar border, killing two people and beheading a 52-year-old villager, demanding his severed head for burial. In Ukhrul, a 40-year-old man was killed when militants attacked his car. The violence has persisted since February 2026, with over 40 people killed and dozens of houses burned in confrontations between Kuki and Naga tribes.