A village chief in Manipur’s Churachandpur district was allegedly beaten to death by unidentified assailants suspected to be members of the proscribed United Kuki National Army (UKNA), officials said on Tuesday.
The victim, identified as Mangthang Haokip, was the chief of T Khonomphai village under Henglep sub-division. The attack occurred around 4.30 p.m. on Monday.
According to officials familiar with the matter, the remote location of T Khonomphai delayed medical assistance. “Due to the remoteness of the area, the victim was carried to Khopijang village, where he was to be taken to the Churachandpur district hospital. However, he succumbed to his injuries on arrival at Khopijang,” said an official.
A case has been registered at Henglep police station, and the body has been handed over to villagers after necessary procedures. The Henglep Headquarter Area Chief Association (HACA) issued a statement condemning the killing and urging authorities to ensure swift justice.
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The incident comes months after the UKNA claimed responsibility for a deadly ambush on June 30 that killed three members of another Kuki armed group under the Suspension of Operation (SoO) pact near Mongjang village, about 5 km from the Churachandpur district headquarters. An elderly woman also died after being struck by a stray bullet during that attack.
The Manipur government withdrew the SoO agreement with the UKNA in 2023, citing the outfit’s alleged involvement in acts of violence during the ongoing ethnic unrest.
Manipur has been in the grip of ethnic violence since May 3, 2023. The clashes between Meitei and Kuki communities have claimed around 260 lives and displaced over 60,000 people. The state, currently under President’s Rule, has announced that rehabilitation of internally displaced persons will be completed by December.
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