Tension gripped parts of Manipur on Thursday after local residents blocked the Indo–Myanmar Sugnu Road in protest against the alleged abduction and killing of a Meitei civilian in Churachandpur district.
The road blockade was imposed by residents of Kakching Khunou soon after news spread about the death of Mayanglambam Rishikanta Singh, a 31-year-old man from Kakching district. Protesters alleged that Singh was abducted and later killed by suspected Kuki militants. They described the incident as a brutal and cold-blooded act and demanded justice for the victim.
According to local residents, the blockade was meant to draw the attention of the authorities to the growing insecurity faced by civilians amid the continuing ethnic unrest in the state. Protesters said normal movement of vehicles was stopped as a mark of protest. They also announced plans to hold a public meeting in the area to decide on further steps following the incident.
As per a complaint filed by the family, Rishikanta Singh, a resident of Kakching Khunou Uchan Makhong Leikai, was allegedly abducted on the evening of January 21 and killed later the same night in Churachandpur district. He was the son of M. Tombi Singh and was married to Chingnu Haokip, a resident of Tuibong village in Churachandpur.
Family members said the couple had been living together in Churachandpur since December 19, 2025, after Rishikanta returned from Nepal, where he had been working. The family said they first learned about the incident after coming across a disturbing video on social media that allegedly showed his killing. Soon after, his wife reportedly contacted the family and informed them about the abduction and murder.
A family member told reporters that Rishikanta had married across communities and had remained in regular contact with his family before the ethnic violence began. “After the situation worsened, communication became irregular,” the family member said.
Based on the statement given by his wife, three unidentified armed men allegedly arrived at their residence around 6.30 pm on January 21 and forcibly took Rishikanta away. She reportedly tried to resist but was overpowered. According to her account, both were taken in a four-wheeler to a secluded location, where she was later pushed out of the vehicle. Rishikanta was then allegedly taken towards a nearby hill area and shot dead.
The family has strongly suspected the involvement of Kuki militants in the killing, though the wife reportedly told police that she was unable to identify the attackers.
A formal complaint has been lodged at Waikhong Police Station, seeking a detailed investigation and strict action against those responsible. The complaint stated that the family received confirmation of the killing through a phone call at around 1.45 am on January 22.
