Manipur: Violence erupts again, 20 village houses burnt
The Kuki Inpi Jiribam, Tamenglong and Noney condemned Thursday’s early morning arson attack at Leikot Kuki village in Noney district, allegedly carried out by the rebel group NSCN-IM. GUWAHATI: After a lull for a few days, violence in Manipur involving Naga and Kuki communities has resumed. The Kuki Inpi Jiribam, Tamenglong and Noney condemned Thursday’s early morning arson attack at Leikot Kuki village in Noney district, allegedly carried out by the rebel group NSCN-IM. The organisation said the village volunteers had attempted to defend the village with “limited resources and licenced single-barrel firearms” but the attackers used sophisticated weapons, including mortar shells. “Unable to withstand the assault, the village volunteers were compelled to withdraw, following which Leikot Kuki Village was reportedly set ablaze and extensively damaged,” the organisation alleged in a statement. It appealed to state and Central governments to immediately institute a “thorough and impartial” investigation into the incident, identify the perpetrators, and ensure that justice is delivered at the earliest. “Failure to address the grievances of the affected people and bring the perpetrators to justice may further aggravate the prevailing situation and lead to undesirable consequences,” it warned. Prasanta Mazumdar Courtesy : TNIE Note: This news is originally published on https:/thenewindianexpress.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
Deadly attack on tribal church leaders in Manipur: 3 killed, CM orders strict action
Three tribal church leaders were tragically killed in an ambush by militants in Manipur’s Kangpokpi district. Following the incident, tensions rose in the area, with organizations announcing a three-day shutdown, and the Chief Minister ordered strict action against the culprits. New Delhi: On the morning of Wednesday, May 13, 2026, suspected armed militants ambushed a group of tribal church leaders in Manipur’s Kangpokpi district. Three leaders were tragically killed and four others seriously injured in this horrific incident while they were returning from a Baptist convention in Churachandpur. Members of the Thadou Baptist Association of India (TBAI) and the United Baptist Council (UBC) were traveling in two separate vehicles. The attack occurred suddenly at around 10 a.m. on the hilly “Tiger Road” between Kotlen and Kotzim villages. This road connects the Kuki-dominated Churachandpur and Kangpokpi districts. Since ethnic violence broke out between the Meitei and Kuki-Zo communities on May 3, 2023, Kukis have been using this rugged route to avoid the shorter route through the Meitei-dominated Imphal Valley. An eyewitness who narrowly escaped the attack told security personnel that the attackers arrived on foot. They opened fire for about three to four minutes from a hilltop before fleeing. According to an official familiar with the matter, it is suspected that 8 to 10 armed men opened indiscriminate fire on both vehicles with automatic rifles like AK-47s. Those killed in this cowardly attack include TBAI President Reverend Vumthang Sitlhou, Finance Secretary Reverend Kaigoulun Lhouwum, and Pastor Paogoulen Sitlhou. The TBAI president recently led a delegation of Kuki Christian leaders to Nagaland to broker peace between the Kuki and Tangkhul Nagas in Manipur’s troubled Kamjong and Ukhrul districts. According to a statement issued by the Indian Army, joint teams of security forces immediately evacuated the injured to the nearest hospital and launched a massive search operation in the area. Three of the injured have been admitted to a private hospital in Imphal for treatment. Another person who managed to escape was later rescued safely from the hills. Several Thadou, Kuki, and Zomi organizations have called for a three-day “complete shutdown” in Kangpokpi, Churachandpur, and other districts to protest the incident. Manipur Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh strongly condemned the incident. He, along with Deputy Chief Minister Losi Dikho, Home Minister Govindas Konthoujam, and other MLAs, visited the hospital to inquire about the condition of the injured. The Chief Minister assured that the government would bear the full cost of their treatment. He sternly stated that such attacks, which undermine collective efforts to restore peace in the state, would not be tolerated and that the culprits, including their masters, would be punished. Immediately following the incident, the Senapati district unit of the United Naga Council claimed that residents of Leilon Vaiphei village had taken hostage approximately 20 Nagas from Konsakhul village. Meanwhile, the president of a Kuki village in the same Naga-dominated district appealed to the police to immediately release 23 Kuki laborers held hostage by locals. Chief Ministers of neighboring states have also expressed deep outrage over the massacre. Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio, Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma, and Mizoram Chief Minister Lalduhoma condemned the incident and urged the Manipur government to take immediate and strict action against those responsible. The Naga Legislature Forum of Manipur, comprising nine MLAs, issued a joint statement appealing for peace and demanding the release of all detained Kuki and Naga citizens. The Indigenous Tribal Leaders Forum (ITLF), Kuki Zo Council, Thadou Inpi Manipur, and the United Christian Forum of Northeast India (UCFNEI) also expressed deep condolences. UCFNEI spokesperson Alan Brooks said the killing of these peaceful leaders, who dedicated their lives to the spiritual upliftment of society, was an inhumane act. The attack has sparked a blame game in the state. Several extremist and fundamentalist groups, including the NSCN (I-M), ZUF, ZUF (Kamsan), Arambai Tenggol, and the Kuki National Army, are suspected of carrying out the attack. However, all these groups have categorically denied any involvement in the attack. Meanwhile, the Kuki Organization for Human Rights Trust (KOHURU) has directly alleged that the attack was a planned terrorist act carried out in collusion with the NSCN (I-M) and the ZUF. The trust states that the slain leaders were playing a key role in organizing peace talks and that this initiative was met with gunfire. Since February 2026, several violent clashes have occurred between Kuki and Tangkhul Nagas in Ukhrul and Kamjong, Manipur, resulting in numerous deaths and burning of homes. A Naga organization has expressed suspicion that some Kuki extremist groups may have carried out this attack to sabotage the Chief Minister’s peace initiative. The slain leaders were scheduled to have a special meeting with the Chief Minister on May 15th, prior to his visit to Churachandpur. Amidst these theories, security forces also believe that this could be a case of mistaken identity. A security official said it appears the attackers were unaware that church leaders were traveling in the vehicles. An intensive investigation is currently underway to identify the real killers. Rajan Chaudhary Courtesy: Hindi News
Manipur peace can be restored in five minutes if government decides, says Rahul Gandhi
Imphal: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has said that much-needed peace in Manipur could be restored through dialogue between the two communities, which he described as the ultimate solution to the current crisis. Interacting with young women from Gargi College and Delhi University on Tuesday, he stated that if the Government of India decided to restore peace in Manipur, it could be achieved within five minutes. “If the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) were in power, it could be settled within hours,” he said, adding that both communities need to build bridges for the restoration of peace. The UPA was a coalition of centre-left political parties in India, primarily led by the Indian National Congress (INC), which governed the country from 2004 to 2014. He added that the Indian Army is supposed to stop people from fighting each other. Reiterating his point, Gandhi said both communities need to build bridges for lasting peace in the state. He accused the ruling government of lacking the intention to end the violence, noting that the Prime Minister has not visited conflict-hit Manipur in recent months. He further expressed hope that if the UPA were in power, the situation would be resolved within hours. Gandhi emphasised that Manipur deserves peace and said that families who have lost loved ones must be taken care of. He advocated a bottom-up approach to peacebuilding, suggesting that educated youth and civil society can help bridge divides. Gandhi said Manipur is going through a “very difficult time” and encouraged young people to stand against injustice and empathise with the suffering of the people. He argued that peacebuilding must emerge from the middle and grassroots levels, suggesting that educated groups from both sides should organise workshops and peace initiatives. Notably, Rahul Gandhi made multiple visits to Manipur, including relief camps in Churachandpur, Moirang, and Jiribam in 2024, where he met victims of ethnic violence. He focused on listening to the grievances of displaced people, including women and children, and called for peace and central intervention. By Bit Irom Courtesy : North East Now Note: This news is originally published on https:/northeastnow.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
Manipur trans groups protest ‘regressive’ bill
Imphal: Transgender rights groups in Manipur on Sunday staged a protest against the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Amendment Bill 2026, terming it ‘regressive’ and contrary to the Supreme Court judgment which recognises self-identification of transgender individuals.Both Houses of parliament recently passed the bill. The protest was organised by the All Manipur Nupi Manbi Association (AMANA), Empowering Trans Ability (ETA), and the All Trans Men Association (ATMA) Manipur at the Mao Market in Imphal and Keishampat Leimajam Leikai in Imphal West. The transgender community gathered at the Mao Market in Imphal where they started the protest with a flash mob. Later, they staged a sit-in at Keishampat and burnt copies of the bill. Speaking to the media, AMANA secretary Santa Khurai said the bill undermines the landmark NALSA V/s Union of India ruling, which recognised the rights of transgender persons to self-identify their gender. “The bill is completely regressive and goes against the principle of self-identification. It attempts to pathologise transgender identity and impose restrictive definitions,” the activist said. The organisations alleged that the proposed law recognises only a limited set of identities such as Hijra, Kinnar and Jogappa, while ignoring diverse indigenous gender identities from the northeast. Santa cited identities such as Nupi Manbi and Nupa Manba in Manipur, along with similar culturally rooted identities in Mizoram, Arunachal Pradesh and Meghalaya, stating that the bill risks erasing these communities from legal recognition. “India is a diverse nation, yet this bill reflects a shallow outlook that fails to acknowledge identities beyond mainland constructs,” Santa said. “We did gender affirmative surgery before the bill came. We are going to continue doing gender affirmative surgery. This is our body. This is our identity. Whether the law recognised or not, we exist,” she added. Santa maintained the organisations are preparing to file a litigation in the Supreme Court along with partner organisations and build wider momentum to oppose the bill. Courtesy : TOI Note: This news is originally published on https:/timesofindia.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
Cong eyes reclaiming ground in Manipur: Venogopal Rao in Churachandpur
Churachandpur: With plans to reclaim Manipur, Venogopal Rao, All India Congress Committee (AICC) observer under the Sangathan Srijan Abhiyan (SSA), visited Churachandpur on Wednesday to spearhead organisational reforms. Rao said the initiative follows directives from AICC president Mallikarjun Kharge and leader of the opposition Rahul Gandhi, who have called for a renewed push to rebuild the party’s base across the northeast. Explaining the policy, Rao said: “Sangathan Srijan Abhiyan is a reformative initiative of the AICC to select district Congress presidents at district headquarters, involving all blocks, stakeholders, party leaders, and cadres, with individual consultation in a transparent way. Reorganisation will take place at the district level in an unbiased and fair manner as directed by the high command.” He stressed that Congress is regaining momentum nationwide. “Congress is gaining ground and has started reclaiming seats across India, as seen in Telangana,” he said. On Manipur, Rao said, “Congress has not lost followers or leaders here. Instead, their numbers are increasing. With their support, we will remove the misrule of the present government in Manipur.” He said, “Congress will not sink. It will bounce back and return to power across the country, state by state.” Referring to Rahul Gandhi’s Bharat Jodo Yatra, Rao said, “From Kanyakumari to Kashmir, the Yatra evoked tremendous response from the people.” Highlighting the party’s social commitment, he added, “Congress is dedicated to the welfare of the downtrodden, SCs, STs, minorities, and women.” Pointing to Telangana’s changing mood, he remarked: “In my state, people once mocked Congress, asking ‘kaha hai Congress?’ But now they know the reality.” Rao was accompanied by Christopher Tilak, secretary in charge of northeast, and two observers from the Manipur Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC). They were warmly received by the Churachandpur District Congress Committee (DCC). A meeting led by DCC president T Chawngbiak discussed reorganisation policies and strategies in detail. Courtesy : TOI Note: This news is originally published on https:/timesofindia.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights