Woman shot dead in Manipur's Kamjong as Kuki-Naga clashes erupt
Synopsis
Fresh clashes between Kuki and Naga groups in Manipur's Kamjong district have left a mother of five dead with a gunshot wound to the neck, four houses burnt, and prohibitory orders in force within 400 metres of Chassad Police Gate Junction — the latest eruption in the state's unresolved ethnic crisis.
Key Takeaways
Domkhonei Touthang , a mother of five, was allegedly shot dead near her neck during clashes in Chassad village, Kamjong district , on the night of 10 October 2026 .
The confrontation reportedly began when security personnel came under fire from suspected Kuki armed groups; retaliatory fire continued into Saturday morning.
At least four houses were burnt; Tangkhul Naga villagers' homes were also reportedly set ablaze by unidentified individuals.
The Kamjong District Magistrate invoked Section 163 of the BNSS , imposing prohibitory orders within a 400-metre radius of Chassad Police Gate Junction.
The Kuki Human Rights Forum , Kuki Students' Organisation , and Kuki CSO Working Committee, Ukhrul have condemned the killing and demanded action against security personnel.
Official casualty figures on both sides were yet to be confirmed as of Saturday.
A woman was allegedly shot dead and at least four houses reportedly set ablaze during fresh clashes between Kuki and Naga groups in Manipur's Kamjong district on the night of Friday, 10 October 2026, prompting authorities to impose prohibitory orders across a restricted zone. The violence has reignited alarm over the fragile security situation in the ethnically divided state.
What Happened in Chassad Village
According to police, the incident unfolded in Chassad village, a Kuki-majority settlement in the otherwise Naga-dominated Kamjong district. The victim, identified as Domkhonei Touthang, a mother of five, sustained gunshot wounds near her neck and died within minutes. She was reportedly participating in a protest against the alleged arrest and detention of Chassad village volunteers at the time, according to Kuki organisations.
The confrontation reportedly began late Friday evening when security personnel on duty came under fire from suspected Kuki armed groups. Security forces retaliated, triggering an exchange of fire that continued into Saturday morning. Several people were reportedly injured on both sides, though official confirmation of total casualties remained awaited as of Saturday.
Houses Burnt, Both Sides Report Injuries
Alongside Touthang's death, four houses were said to have been burnt during the clashes. Separately, houses belonging to Tangkhul Naga villagers were reportedly set ablaze by unidentified individuals during the intervening night of 9 and 10 October. The number of injured on either side could not be officially confirmed, and authorities said a full accounting of casualties was still underway.
Prohibitory Orders Imposed in Kamjong
In response to the violence, the Kamjong district administration imposed prohibitory restrictions within a 400-metre radius of Chassad Police Gate Junction. The District Magistrate invoked Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), banning the assembly of five or more persons, the carrying of firearms and other potentially dangerous objects, and movement within the designated zone. Exemptions were granted to security personnel, on-duty magistrates, essential services staff, and individuals holding special permits issued by the District Magistrate or the Superintendent of Police of Kamjong district.
Kuki Organisations Demand Action
Several Kuki tribal bodies, including the Kuki Human Rights Forum (KHRF), the Kuki Students' Organisation, and the Kuki CSO Working Committee, Ukhrul, condemned the killing of Touthang and demanded the strongest possible action against the security personnel they hold responsible. The KHRF specifically claimed she was shot while taking part in the protest over the detention of village volunteers.
Broader Context: Manipur's Ongoing Ethnic Crisis
The latest violence comes amid Manipur's prolonged ethnic conflict, which has seen recurring clashes between Kuki and Meitei communities since May 2023, as well as intermittent tensions involving Naga groups. The Kamjong district, located in the state's hill region, has remained a flashpoint due to competing territorial and ethnic claims. This is among the more serious outbreaks of inter-community violence recorded in the district in recent months, and authorities face mounting pressure to restore order while addressing underlying grievances. Security deployments in the area are expected to continue as the district administration monitors the situation closely.
Point of View
According to Kuki organisations, was protesting a detention rather than bearing arms — raises serious questions about the rules of engagement in Manipur's conflict zones. That her death could not be officially confirmed or contextualised for hours points to the information blackout that has long complicated accountability in the state. Manipur's ethnic fault lines now clearly run not only between Kuki and Meitei groups but between Kuki and Naga communities as well, widening the theatre of conflict beyond what early analyses projected. Without a durable political settlement and a credible civilian protection framework, each incident risks becoming a recruitment narrative for armed groups on all sides.
NationPress
10 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was killed in the Manipur Kamjong clashes on 10 October 2026?
The victim was identified as Domkhonei Touthang, a mother of five children, who was allegedly shot near her neck during clashes in Chassad village, Kamjong district, and died within minutes on the night of 10 October 2026. According to the Kuki Human Rights Forum, she was participating in a protest against the alleged detention of village volunteers at the time of the shooting.
What triggered the Kuki-Naga clashes in Kamjong district?
According to police, the confrontation began late Friday evening when security personnel on duty came under fire from suspected Kuki armed groups. Security forces retaliated, sparking an exchange of fire that lasted into Saturday morning. Kuki organisations separately contend that the trouble started when women protested the alleged arrest and detention of Chassad village volunteers.
What prohibitory orders have been imposed in Kamjong?
The Kamjong District Magistrate invoked Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) to impose prohibitory restrictions within a 400-metre radius of Chassad Police Gate Junction. The order bans the assembly of five or more persons, the carrying of firearms or dangerous objects, and movement within the zone, with exemptions for security forces, magistrates on duty, essential services staff, and permit-holders.
Which organisations have condemned the killing of Domkhonei Touthang?
The Kuki Human Rights Forum (KHRF), the Kuki Students' Organisation, and the Kuki CSO Working Committee, Ukhrul, have all condemned the killing and demanded the strongest action against the security personnel they hold responsible for Touthang's death.
How does this incident fit into the broader Manipur ethnic conflict?
Manipur has witnessed prolonged ethnic tensions since May 2023, primarily between Kuki and Meitei communities, but with intermittent Naga-Kuki friction in hill districts such as Kamjong. The latest clashes signal that the conflict's geography and communal dimensions are widening, compounding the challenge for the state and central security apparatus.
