A member of the Naga Village Guard (NVG) was killed and five others — including two personnel of the CoBRA battalion of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) — were injured in an armed confrontation at Bitiang village in Noney district, Manipur, on Wednesday, 29 July, officials said. The incident unfolded when security forces conducting an operation in the area came under fire from armed village volunteers, triggering a gunfight.

What Happened at Bitiang Village

According to officials, the security forces were conducting an operation in and around Bitiang village in the Naga-majority Noney district when they drew fire from armed village volunteers. One village volunteer was killed in the exchange, while three others sustained injuries. The two CRPF personnel suffered splinter injuries and were subsequently provided medical treatment, officials added.

Village volunteers belonging to different ethnic communities in Manipur are armed civilians who guard their respective localities against hostile attacks. Such groups emerged across several parts of the state following the outbreak of ethnic violence in May 2023.

Community Protests and Emergency Shutdown

Following the incident, members of the local tribal community staged protests against the security operation carried out by the CRPF in and around the villages. The Working Committee of JTC-Manipur — representing the Inpui, Liangmai, Rongmei and Zeme Naga communities — announced an immediate emergency shutdown of all National Highways, railway projects, and national projects passing through the territories of the four communities.

In a statement, the committee alleged the shutdown was called in protest against the alleged abduction and killing of six Naga civilians on 13 May and the attack on Naga Volunteer Groups at Bitiang village. The committee said essential services — including medical facilities, schools and colleges, PHED, electricity, and telecommunication — would remain exempted. The shutdown, it said, would continue until the Government of India takes what it described as decisive action on its demands.

NVG and Allegations Against CoBRA, ZUF-J

The Naga Village Guard-Eastern Command (NVG-EC), in a separate statement, expressed strong resentment against the operation. It alleged that troops of the CoBRA Unit and cadres of the Zeliangrong United Front-Jenchui (ZUF-J) group were involved in the armed assault against the Naga Village Guards at Bitiang village, resulting in one death and three injuries. The Working Committee of JTC-Manipur also accused the CoBRA Team and ZUF-J of involvement and demanded the arrest of those responsible and an end to operations against Naga villages.

Manipur's Ongoing Ethnic Crisis

Manipur has remained gripped by ethnic tensions since May 2023, when large-scale violence erupted between the Meitei community in the Imphal Valley and the Kuki-Zo tribal communities in the hill districts. The conflict has claimed the lives of at least 260 people and displaced thousands from their homes.

Following prolonged unrest and the resignation of then Chief Minister N. Biren Singh, President's Rule was imposed in Manipur on 13 February 2025. Central rule remained in force for nearly a year before being revoked on 4 February 2026, after the formation of a new state government. Wednesday's gunfight signals that ground-level tensions remain far from resolved despite the political transition.