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India Today
2 days ago
- Politics
- India Today
5 militants killed as rival Kuki-Chin insurgent groups clash in Manipur
At least five militants were killed on Tuesday morning in a violent clash between two rival Kuki-Chin insurgent groups deep inside the forests of Deiveijang village in Manipur's Noney sources confirmed to India Today that the incident took place about 50 kilometres south of Nungba in a remote jungle area with no road connectivity or mobile network coverage."The location is not easily accessible. We have sent a team to the site, but details are still coming in," a senior official The clash reportedly involved cadres of the United Kuki National Army (UKNA) and the Chin Kuki Mizo Army (CKMA) — both non-signatories to the Suspension of Operations (SoO) agreement with the 2008, the SoO agreement was started by the Government of India through an interlocutor chosen by the home ministry with the aim of finding a political solution for the Kuki population in to sources, the deceased militants have been identified as Alex, Seiboi, Pongba, Ringo, and Rambo, though it remains unclear which group they belonged and intelligence officials believe the gunfight was the result of rising competition between the two groups over territorial control and influence in the hill districts of Manipur and the adjoining Indo-Myanmar UKNA and CKMA are said to be newly formed outfits, composed mainly of splinter elements from older Chin-Kuki insurgent between the groups have been building, particularly after UKNA was allegedly involved in the assassination of the Deputy Commander-in-Chief of the Kuki National Army (KNA) — a SoO signatory group — on June 30. That killing triggered unrest and sparked a wider rift within the Kuki-Chin militant network, insiders the clash, security agencies have intensified surveillance and movement tracking in and around the area, although no official statement has yet been issued by the Manipur Police or central paramilitary forces regarding the incident or any further security of Tuesday evening, the atmosphere in Deiveijang and the surrounding forested region was highly incident adds to the growing complexity of Manipur's already volatile security situation, marked by fractured insurgent loyalties and intermittent armed has witnessed one of the bloodiest episodes in the form of ethnic violence between the members of the Meitei and the Kuki-Zo communities. In the violence that began in May 2023, over 250 people have been killed and over 60,000 have been displaced.- EndsMust Watch IN THIS STORY#Manipur
NDTV
2 days ago
- Politics
- NDTV
Returning Home Is Just The First Step For Displaced Meitei Families In Manipur
Imphal West: After more than two years of heartbreak and displacement, several Meitei families made a poignant return to Kangchup, a village nestled in Lamshang subdivision of Imphal West district in Manipur. Once filled with laughter and life, their homes now stand as charred remnants of the ethnic violence that erupted in early May 2023 between the Meitei community and the Kuki tribes. The flames not only consumed their houses but also uprooted their lives, forcing them into relief camps overnight. Today, amidst the ruins, hope flickers again. With the government announcing plans to rehabilitate thousands of displaced families across the state, these villagers dare to dream of rebuilding, not just their homes, but also the bonds that once held their community together. Internally displaced person Angom Ongbi Memchoubi Devi expressed her gratitude. "We truly appreciate the government's initiative, and we are very happy at the prospect of returning to our respective homes. Living as dependents on others has been extremely difficult and uncomfortable," Ms Memchoubi told ANI. "Life in the relief camps is especially challenging. Many of us have been crammed into single rooms with no privacy. Even in the pre-fabricated shelters, the rooms are too small, and the attached bathrooms make daily life quite inconvenient. We wholeheartedly welcome the decision to allow us to return home," she added. More than 50,000 people from the Meitei community and Kuki tribes were internally displaced during the ethnic clashes, and the majority have spent over two years living in relief camps, waiting, hoping, and enduring. In Faijang area of Kangpokpi district, rows of fabricated sheet shelters have become makeshift homes, weathering both time and hardship. Here, 896 people from 184 families continue to live in limbo. While some young people have moved to other districts in search of education or jobs, many remain, with nowhere else to go. Camp in-charge Momoi acknowledged the government has provided essential facilities, but her heart still longs for Imphal, the city where her life once felt whole. In-charge of the IDP camp, Momoi, spoke to ANI about the current situation. "There's no major hardship here. All necessary facilities are being provided by the government. In terms of difficulties, there's nothing significant. But yes, we do miss Imphal -- we've lived there since childhood, went to school and college there, so of course we miss it," she said. At the IDP camp in Faijang, we met Thomas, a young man with a dream and a voice fluent in Hindi. Having lived in both Imphal and Delhi, Thomas aspires to become a journalist. But in the shadows of displacement, his journey is far from easy. He said the biggest challenge facing residents of the camp and nearby underdeveloped areas is not just survival, but access to quality healthcare, a basic right that still feels out of reach. "All of us from the Kuki community who can't return to Imphal due to the conflict have to go to Senapati. After that, for medical facilities, we have to travel to Dimapur, Guwahati, or even Delhi. We IDPs face many problems; some had their homes burned, some were looted, and some lost family members. Many people have also become mentally disturbed because of all this," said Thomas. As Meitei and Kuki families slowly begin their return, their resilience stands as a powerful reminder of the human spirit's endurance. Yet, true rehabilitation goes beyond physical resettlement; it requires lasting peace, adequate security, and access to essential services like healthcare and education. Only then can these communities move from survival to rebuilding lives with dignity, hope, and a renewed sense of belonging.
Time of India
2 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Manipur: Naga forum objects to presence of Kuki militant camps in Naga ancestral areas
The Foothills Naga Coordination Committee (FNCC) has submitted a memorandum to the Prime Minister of India through the Governor of Manipur, raising strong objections to the continued presence and proposed relocation of Suspension of Operations (SoO) camps belonging to Kuki militant groups in and around Naga ancestral territories. The committee expressed deep concern that the existence of these camps, as well as the SoO agreement itself, poses a serious threat to communal harmony, constitutional order, and national security in the state. Explore courses from Top Institutes in Please select course: Select a Course Category The FNCC stated that no SoO camps, whether existing or proposed, should be allowed within Naga-inhabited areas without the knowledge and informed consent of the Naga people. They specifically mentioned the regions of Kharam Vaiphei and Kotlen as part of historically and culturally significant Naga territories. The committee warned that any attempt to establish camps in these areas would be seen as an act of provocation and aggression, likely to incite communal unrest with consequences that could exceed the violence of May 3, 2023. Tracing the origins of the SoO agreement, the FNCC noted that it began as a bilateral arrangement on August 1, 2005, and was later formalised into a tripartite agreement in 2008 between the Government of India, the Government of Manipur, and Kuki militant groups, including the Kuki National Organisation (KNO) and the United People's Front (UPF). Live Events The FNCC accused Kuki militants of repeatedly violating the terms of the SoO agreement, citing numerous incidents of violence, including kidnappings, arson, assaults, land encroachment, extortion, and attacks on civilians. These incidents, which occurred between March 2023 and July 2025, were described as part of a calculated effort to carry out territorial aggression, ethnic domination, and demographic manipulation. The committee claimed that the SoO camps have evolved into operational hubs for militant expansion, intimidation, and illegal activities such as poppy cultivation, especially in Naga areas like Makhan and Leikhampokpi. The FNCC lamented that the SoO agreement continues to be renewed annually without accountability, raising serious doubts about the intent behind the process. The group criticised the state and central governments for what it called dangerous appeasement policies that have only emboldened lawlessness and eroded public trust in democratic governance. The FNCC declared an indefinite bandh on the movement of Kukis within the foothill regions of Naga-inhabited areas, effective from midnight of July 18. Meiteis, belonging to the erstwhile ruling class, account for 53% of Manipur's population and live mostly in the Imphal valley. Naga and Kuki tribes constitute 40% of the population and live in the hill districts. More than 260 people have been killed, and around 70,000 people from different communities have been rendered homeless in the ethnic violence between the Meiteis and Kuki-Zo-Hmar communities since May 3. Manipur has been under President's Rule since February 13, four days after the resignation of N. Biren Singh from the Chief Minister's post.
The Hindu
3 days ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
People evicted in Assam may move to Nagaland, warns students' body
GUWAHATI A students' body in Nagaland has warned against the possible inward movement of 'alleged illegal immigrants' evicted from government land in Assam. More than 50,000 people, mostly Bengali-speaking Muslims, have been evicted from reserve forests, wetlands, grazing lands, wastelands, etc., in northeastern and western Assam since June. Resistance to these drives claimed the life of one person in the Goalpara district a few days ago. On Monday (July 21, 2025), the Western Sümi Students' Union (WSSU) expressed deep concern over the ongoing eviction drive in Assam. Its president, Ikato Khulu, and general secretary, Vitoka N. Rochill, issued a statement, saying such drives are threatening areas inhabited by Nagas along the border with Assam. 'It is alarming that such activities are beginning to infringe upon Nagaland's territory, posing a direct threat to the rightful ownership of our land and the safety and security of its residents. These border communities have lived peacefully for generations and have acted as de facto custodians of our State's boundary,' they said. Risk of conflict 'It is pertinent to mention that the alleged illegal immigrants reside near Naga-inhabited areas along the Assam-Nagaland border. This situation further heightens the risks of conflict, displacement, and demographic pressure on our vulnerable border communities,' they said. The WSSU asked the Nagaland government to immediately deploy security forces 'to deter unauthorised actions by external authorities' and ensure 'swift and effective protection of our people.' It also sought steps to prevent a potential influx of illegal immigrants. 'The large-scale evictions, push-backs, and expedited deportations currently underway in Assam will likely trigger displacement-driven movement into Nagaland,' the union stated, resenting the 'slow and inadequate' response of the Nagaland administration to the threat. Dismantle SoO camps In neighbouring Manipur, another Naga organisation has asked the Centre to immediately dismantle camps for Kuki extremist outfits located 'in or around Naga ancestral territories' in the State. These groups had signed the Suspension of Operations (SoO) agreement with the Centre in 2008. In a memorandum to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Foothills Naga Coordination Committee accused the SoO groups of repeatedly violating the terms of the agreement. The committee cited a long list of alleged crimes and violent acts committed by these groups between 2023 and 2025, including extortion, assaults, kidnappings, and the burning of villages. The committee said the SoO agreement 'has become a sanctuary for armed criminals rather than a tool for peace. 'The continued presence and reported relocation of SoO camps into Naga areas represent a direct threat to communal harmony, constitutional order, and national security,' it stated in the memorandum. The committee warned that any attempt to impose such camps in Naga areas would be seen as an act of aggression.
The Wire
4 days ago
- Politics
- The Wire
Manipur: Naga Committee Declares Indefinite Bandh on Movement of Kukis in Foothill Regions
A prime concern is the 'threat to ancestral land' due to the construction of the 'German' or 'Tiger' road connecting Churachandpur to Kangpokpi, which is named after a Kuki militant leader.
