A woman and a child were injured after an alleged armed attack on Thingkhongjang Kuki Village in Manipur’s Kangpokpi district on Sunday evening, triggering fresh concerns over security in the state’s hill districts and prompting demands for an independent investigation.According to local residents, the attack took place at around 5 pm on July 5 when villagers had gathered at the local church for Sunday prayers. The village, situated along the Jiribam–Imphal railway route under Kangchup Geljang Sub-Division of Sadar Hills, reportedly came under heavy gunfire as armed men allegedly opened fire with sophisticated weapons and hurled explosives into the area. Residents claimed that several houses were set on fire during the assault before the attackers fled. Local sources alleged that the attackers belonged to the NSCN-IM and ZUF-K. However, these allegations could not be independently verified, and there was no immediate official confirmation regarding the identity of those responsible.
The injured included a woman, who reportedly sustained a gunshot wound to her thigh, and a child. According to local sources, both were evacuated by personnel of the Assam Rifles to the New Keithelmanbi Assam Rifles camp, where they received medical treatment.Residents also alleged that Kuki-Zo villagers from neighbouring areas who attempted to help those affected were stopped by personnel of the Central Reserve Police Force from entering the village, resulting in a brief confrontation. There was no immediate response from the security forces regarding the allegation. The incident drew strong criticism from Kuki Inpi Manipur (KIM), which condemned the attack and described it as an assault on civilians. In a statement, the organisation alleged that NSCN-IM cadres and its alleged proxy faction ZUF-K were behind the violence, though these claims remain unverified.
KIM said several civilian houses were torched and that indiscriminate firing left a woman and a child seriously injured. The organisation questioned how heavily armed attackers were able to enter the area and carry out the assault despite the presence of a nearby CRPF camp. “It is beyond comprehension that heavily armed militants could infiltrate the area, unleash violence upon civilians, torch homes, injure women and children, and withdraw without decisive intervention,” the organisation said in its statement.
