Armed militants launched a deadly assault on N. Teikhang, a Kuki-inhabited village in Manipur's Kangpokpi district, on Monday, 31 August, killing at least two villagers and injuring others, according to police officials. The attackers used sophisticated weapons, opened indiscriminate fire on civilians, and set several houses ablaze, forcing women and children to flee into nearby forests.

What Happened at Teikhang Village

A police official in Imphal confirmed that armed militants belonging to a suspected militant group stormed the mountainous village and opened fire without warning. Two persons were killed and at least one was injured, according to police. Several houses were torched during the attack, compounding the panic among residents.

The Twilang Area Kuki CSO Working Committee offered a sharper account, claiming that around 50 heavily armed cadres of the separatist NSCN-IM and its alleged proxy force, ZUF-K, carried out what it described as 'an unprovoked and barbaric attack on the innocent residents of Teikhang village.' The organisation alleged that three villagers — including two women — were shot dead, while four others, including a woman, sustained bullet wounds and remain critically injured.

Victims Identified

According to the Kuki tribal organisation's statement, the deceased have been identified as Tingneichin Lhouvum, 40, Hoineineng Lhoujem, 21, and Lamtinthang Lhoujem, 36. The critically injured have been identified as Nemneichong Lhoujem, 50, Seilun Lhoujem, 70, Deilhing Haokip, 55, and Kamtinsei Chongloi, 38. NationPress could not independently verify the third fatality, as police confirmed two deaths while the tribal body claimed three.

Security Forces Deployed

Manipur Police and Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) rushed to the area and launched operations to restore order. Security officials said additional details were being ascertained and that operations were continuing in and around the affected area. The Kuki Students' Organisation also strongly condemned the attack.

A Pattern of Escalating Violence

This attack comes days after suspected militants ambushed a vehicle in the same district, killing four Naga civilians and injuring another. More than 20 people from both the Naga and Kuki communities have been killed in separate firing incidents, and several houses have been burnt since violence erupted between the two communities in the state in February this year. Notably, Monday's strike is among the most lethal single-village attacks recorded in the district since that cycle of violence began, and signals a continued deterioration of ground-level security despite ongoing force deployments.