In a fresh escalation of violence in Manipur’s hill districts, a minor girl sustained a gunshot injury after alleged indiscriminate firing targeted civilians in Mongkot Chepu village on Monday afternoon (March 23), triggering widespread outrage and urgent calls for immediate government intervention.
According to a statement issued by the Kuki CSO Working Committee, Ukhrul, the incident took place around 1:07 pm. At the time, villagers—including women—were engaged in routine agricultural work in the Lengthei Mol farming area, located just 500–600 metres from the main settlement. The situation turned chaotic when suspected Tangkhul armed volunteers allegedly opened fire without warning from an elevated hilltop across the Thoubal River.
During the sudden attack, a young girl was struck by a bullet. Her identity has not been disclosed, and her condition remains unclear, heightening concern among residents. Eyewitnesses reported that more than 20 villagers were left stranded in open fields, unable to flee as gunfire continued, turning the peaceful farmland into a scene of fear and panic.
The Committee alleged that unarmed civilians were deliberately targeted, calling the act “grave and inhumane.” It warned that such repeated incidents indicate a disturbing pattern of violence against innocent residents in the region.
Demanding urgent action, the Committee called on authorities to immediately halt the firing, ensure safe evacuation of stranded villagers, and strengthen security along the Ukhrul highway and nearby areas. It also urged security forces to launch intensive combing operations to neutralise armed groups and ensure accountability for those responsible.
“This is not merely an attack on a village—it is an assault on humanity and civilian dignity,” the statement said, urging swift and decisive measures to prevent further escalation.
