NEW DELHI: Two women were killed in an attack near their home in Manipur’s Tamenglong district, police said on Wednesday, marking the latest violence in the northeastern Indian state. The deaths bring the civilian toll to 10 in the last three weeks of ongoing ethnic conflict.
Superintendent of Police Lanmio Luikham confirmed that a shutdown is in effect in Tamenglong following the killings on Tuesday afternoon. Luikham stated that the attack is linked to recent clashes between Christian Naga and Kuki groups. “We are completing the investigation and necessary formalities and are focusing on maintaining peace in the area,” he said.
Manipur has been gripped by unrest since 2023, primarily between the Hindu majority and the predominantly Christian Kuki minority. The violence has recently expanded to include Naga groups. The conflict, driven by disputes over land and political influence, has resulted in over 250 deaths. This latest incident follows the deaths of eight people in three separate attacks in the region, which shares a border with conflict-ridden Myanmar. Efforts by the Indian government to restore normalcy in the state have seen limited success.
