Who Were the Four Individuals Shot Dead by Gunmen in Churachandpur, Manipur?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Four individuals, including a woman, were shot dead in Churachandpur.
- The incident has escalated tensions among local militant factions.
- The victims were identified, and investigations are ongoing.
- Security forces have made multiple arrests related to the violence.
- Community safety remains a significant concern in the region.
Imphal, June 30 (NationPress) At least four individuals, among them a woman, were fatally shot by unknown assailants in the Churachandpur district of Manipur on Monday, as reported by officials.
A law enforcement officer indicated that this tragic event occurred in close proximity to Mongjang village in the tribal-populated Churachandpur district during the afternoon while the victims were in a vehicle.
Mongjang village is located nearly six kilometers from Churachandpur town. The unidentified gunmen targeted the victims from a short distance before fleeing the scene.
The police have not yet disclosed the identities of the deceased. A substantial presence of security forces was deployed to the area, recovering over a dozen empty shell casings from the site.
Reports suggest that a leader from the Kuki National Army (KNA) was reportedly killed alongside a female member of the United Kuki National Army (UKNA) in Mongjang village.
This incident has sparked a factional conflict among the militant groups within the Kuki community. According to sources, the victims were identified as Thenkhothang Haokip alias Thahpi (48), Seikhogin (34), Lengouhao (35), and Phalhing (72).
More information regarding the incident is pending.
In related developments, the security forces apprehended five militants affiliated with various proscribed organizations from the Imphal West and Imphal East districts within the past 24 hours.
The detained militants belonged to the People's Liberation Army (PLA), Kangleipak Communist Party (KCP), and the People’s Revolutionary Party of Kangleipak (PREPAK).
These militants were allegedly involved in extortion activities targeting elected officials such as panchayat pradhans and members, as well as private and public educational institutions in the districts.
A police spokesperson mentioned that security forces, accompanied by a bomb disposal unit, successfully neutralized one 51 mm ILLG bomb discovered at Terakhongshangbi Maning Laithel under the Moirang police station in Bishnupur District. Fragments were collected from the location for further investigation.
Additionally, the security forces and bomb disposal team safely disarmed an old unexploded bomb, presumed to date back to WWII, after being alerted by local residents from the Tengnoupal region in Tengnoupal district, which borders Myanmar.