Archive · 16 Sep 2026
Suspected militants kill two Kuki women in Manipur attack
Two women from the Kuki community were killed in Manipur.
Officials said suspected militants shot them while they were collecting firewood.
The women were in a field near the village of Leisangphai.
Their bodies were found with gunshot injuries and recovered by villagers.
Several temporary farmhouses were also set on fire.
Local people said some villagers could not be found.
The attack happened two days after four other people were killed nearby.
Kuki Inpi Manipur blamed the authorities for not protecting civilians.
The organization said the women’s remains would not be claimed until justice is achieved.
Two Kuki women were allegedly shot dead while collecting firewood near Leisangphai in Tamenglong district.
The victims were identified as 60-year-old Chonga Sitlhou and 30-year-old Kimboi Singson.
Suspected militants also burned several temporary farmhouses, while locals said some villagers were unaccounted for.
The killings followed the deaths of four people in Tamenglong and Noney districts on September 13.
Kuki Inpi Manipur condemned the attacks and said the women’s remains would not be claimed until justice is secured.
- Who
- Two Kuki women, Chonga Sitlhou and Kimboi Singson, were killed; suspected militants were blamed by officials citing local accounts.
- What
- The women were allegedly shot dead, and several temporary farmhouses were burned in a fresh attack.
- When
- Tuesday, September 15; the attack followed four killings on September 13.
- Where
- Near an isolated field outside Leisangphai village in Manipur’s Tamenglong district.
- Why
- The reports do not establish a confirmed motive; officials said the women had gone to collect firewood.
Kuki organizations’ allegations
Authorities’ reported account
Protection of civilians
Kuki organizations’ allegations
Kuki Inpi Manipur accused the central and state governments of remaining silent and failing to protect Kuki-Zo civilians from repeated attacks.
Authorities’ reported account
The reports identify the attackers only as suspected militants or armed miscreants and do not provide a detailed response from the central or state governments.
Identity of the attackers
Kuki organizations’ allegations
The Kuki-Zo Council alleged that Naga armed groups operating in Manipur had killed more than 22 Kuki-Zo community members since the beginning of 2026.
Authorities’ reported account
Officials’ account describes suspected militants as responsible for the latest attack but does not establish their identity.
Handling of the victims’ remains
Kuki organizations’ allegations
Kuki Inpi Manipur said the two women’s remains would not be claimed until justice was attained.
Authorities’ reported account
The reports state that villagers recovered the bodies but give no opposing official position on the organization’s decision.
- Victims
- Chonga Sitlhou, 60, and Kimboi Singson, 30
- Community
- Kuki
- Attack location
- A field near Leisangphai in Tamenglong district
- Additional damage
- Several kutcha farmhouses were set ablaze
- Earlier violence
- Four people, including two women, were killed in Tamenglong and Noney districts on September 13
- Reported conflict toll
- At least 306 people killed, 49 missing and thousands left homeless in the broader Meitei-Kuki conflict
- Organization response
- Kuki Inpi Manipur said the women’s remains would not be claimed until justice is served
