A Meitei man was abducted from his home and later shot dead by suspected Kuki militants in Manipur’s Churachandpur district, police said on Thursday, marking a fresh flashpoint in the state’s prolonged ethnic conflict.

The victim was identified as Mayanglambam Rishikanta Singh, a native of Kakching Khunou in Kakching district. Police said Singh was taken from his residence in the Tuibong area on Wednesday and later killed near Natjang village. The assailants are suspected to be cadres of the United Kuki National Army (UKNA), a militant group that is not a signatory to the Suspension of Operations (SoO) agreement.

Abduction and killing

According to police and local sources, Singh, who was married to Chingnu Haokip of Churachandpur and had adopted the tribal name Ginminthang, had returned to the district from Nepal on January 19. He was reportedly allowed to stay with his wife by certain local groups.

Police said Singh and his wife were abducted together and taken towards Natjang village under the jurisdiction of the Henglep police station. Singh was allegedly shot dead there, while his wife was later released. His body was recovered from Natjang village after police received information and was shifted to the district hospital morgue around 1.30 am.

A purported video related to the incident has circulated on social media. Police said they are examining the footage as part of the investigation.
Background of ethnic unrest

A suo motu case has been registered, and efforts are underway to identify and apprehend those responsible, police said. Security agencies have stepped up surveillance in the area following the incident.

Ethnic violence between the Meitei and Kuki communities erupted in Manipur in May 2023, leaving the state deeply divided along ethnic lines. Since then, more than 260 people have been killed, and thousands have been displaced, with sporadic incidents continuing to fuel tension across several districts.

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