New incidents of violence have emerged in Manipur, marked by the shooting death of a private electric lineman. The incident took place in the early hours of September 21 in Lasan village, situated in the Tamenglong district, approximately 29 km east of the Tamei police station. According to law enforcement, 36-year-old Paojangam Chongloi, a resident of Wakotphai village, was allegedly shot while he was engaged in repairs on a 33 kV power line.

The police reported that it proved challenging for their personnel to reach the remote site immediately. The officer-in-charge at Tamei station stated, “As my police team are not able to reach the spot, we have requested Kangpokpi police to conduct spot investigation and other necessary legal steps.” The deceased’s body was later taken to the hospital in Kangpokpi district for further examination.

A formal complaint was lodged by Thanggunhao Hangshing, the secretary of the local governing body in Wakotphai. The complaint accused members of the National Socialist Council of Nagaland (NSCN-IM) of masterminding the killing, although this allegation has not been independently verified.

Destruction of Homes in Subsequent Attacks

Later on the same day, armed assailants reportedly attacked two villages in the neighbouring Kangpokpi district, resulting in the destruction of at least 24 houses. The locations, Makui Khuman and Makui Thanamba—also known as Chamruioiu village—are situated about 15 km to the northeast of Chalwa police station and are separated by a distance of approximately 2-3 km.

A local resident noted that the destruction occurred around 5 am, with both villages being targeted in quick succession. Each settlement is home to about 12 households. However, the residents had previously left their homes due to ongoing ethnic clashes and were relocated to Makui Khunjao, roughly 12 km away.

Witnesses reported that upon returning to their villages, they found all the homes had been reduced to ashes, and they indicated that no security forces were on the scene during the attacks. This incident follows earlier reports of violence in which around 25 houses were set ablaze by unidentified individuals on September 1 and 2. The escalation of violence raises significant concerns amid rising tensions in the region.

Ongoing Ethnic Conflict in Manipur

The recent spate of violence forms part of a larger pattern of unrest in the region, which has seen a series of tragic events this month. Notably, on September 21, a 17-year-old boy from the Naga community was reportedly shot while walking alone towards Tamei town. His body was discovered by local volunteers, prompting widespread condemnation of the act. Former Meghalaya minister Awangbow Newmai expressed his outrage, labelling the incident a cowardly act of terrorism targeting innocent civilians.

He emphasised the need for immediate action, stating, “Such barbaric violence has no justification and no place in a civilised society.” Earlier in September, two Kuki women were also shot while gathering firewood, raising concerns about safety in rural areas. These attacks have been attributed to the ongoing ethnic conflict that erupted in May 2023, primarily between the Meitei and Kuki communities.

Since its inception, officials have reported over 300 fatalities and a vast number of displacements. As tensions continue to escalate, authorities are anticipated to conduct thorough investigations into both the shootings and arson incidents. Community organisations have called for unbiased probes and more robust protective measures to prevent further violence and ensure civilian safety in the affected regions.

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