2 Naga Farmers Shot Dead In Manipur's Kangpokpi, Fresh Tension Flares; Emergency Shutdowns Called Across Naga Areas

Kangpokpi: An alleged armed assault in Manipur's Kangpokpi district has left two Langka Naga farmers dead and two others wounded, flaring tensions in the hills again. According to reports, the attack took place just 48 hours after Manipur Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand urged the communities in both hill and valley areas to surrender weapons within 15 days.

According to the locals, the incident occurred at around 7.30 am along the IT Road in Kangpokpi, when a group of farmers from Langka Naga Village were heading to their fields. The farmers were allegedly fired upon by a large group of armed men, with sources claiming that around 50 attackers, believed to be members of the KNF (P) and KRA operating jointly, took part in the ambush and were carrying sophisticated weapons. The gunfire was reportedly heard in the area for some time after the initial attack.

The senior police officers in Kangpokpi have confirmed the incident, saying that a search operation has been initiated in the area. Following the incident, Naga civil bodies stepped in to respond, declaring a total shutdown across all Liangmai and Naga-dominated districts. The protest was particularly intense at Kanglatongbi, the last Naga village on the border of Imphal West and Kangpokpi, where residents gathered to condemn the killings.

The local sources identified the 4 farmers who were hit as Chawang Wiriliangbou (27), Malianjinang Abonmai (50), Widinang Abonmai (57), and Namthiulungbou (38). Of the 4, Malianjinang Abonmai and Namthiulungbou later succumbed to their injuries at the hospital. The other two injured men were airlifted from the site by an Indian Air Force (IAF) helicopter and first taken to the Mantripukhri IGAR (South) camp before being transferred to RIMS Hospital in Imphal, where they are receiving treatment.

Following the deaths, the United Naga Council announced an emergency shutdown across all Naga districts and Naga-inhabited areas. The bandh was called to protest the killings and to demand stronger protection for Naga villagers living along the hill-valley fringe.

Former CM N Biren Singh Meets Families Of Victims

Former CM N Biren Singh visited RIMS Hospital to meet the families of the two injured villagers and also provided monetary assistance to the victims’ families. Speaking after his visit, N Biren Singh called the continuing cycle of violence heartbreaking. “There is a saying in Manipur: 'Like a fish wanting to speak, but its mouth fills with water.' We have so much to say and so much desire to bring peace, but the overwhelming circumstances constantly block our path,” he said.

He stated, “We were desperately hoping for a peaceful resolution. Instead, we are trapped in a tragic cycle—on one side, homes are set ablaze; on the other, innocent lives are taken. Just today, we lost two lives and two others were injured. While one group seeks peace, another opens fire. This endless back-and-forth is getting us nowhere, and if we continue down this path, mob agitations and retaliatory violence will only multiply……without decisive action and absolute determination, we will remain stuck in this tragedy. This brutal cycle of violence must end—whether through stern security measures, meaningful dialogue, or any necessary intervention.”

“The bond of brotherhood between our people is deep-rooted; the actions of armed militants do not define the real relationship shared by ordinary citizens. This is fundamentally a human crisis……I appeal to the concerned authorities for tight, decisive security measures executed in a time-bound manner. From my end, I stand fully committed to extending every possible help to restore peace to our state,” he said.

The former CM also thanked the 57 Mountain Division, the ADG (Law & Order), the Governor and the Assam Rifles for coordinating the airlift, noting that “though tragically one succumbed at the spot.” Pointing out that the killing was the second major attack in the Leimakhong-Lanka area, he urged that security deployment be “thoroughly scrutinised and reinforced".