Naga-Kuki clash reported in Manipur’s Senapati after civilian ambush
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An armed clash between Naga and Kuki groups was reported in T Khullen village in Manipur’s Senapati district, following rising tensions after a recent ambush of civilians.
Local sources said firing broke out amid heightened strain between the communities, spreading fear among residents. The confrontation comes days after two Naga civilians were ambushed on April 18 along the Imphal-Ukhrul road, triggering shutdown calls across Naga-inhabited areas.
Tensions have escalated in recent days, with civil society organisations and insurgent groups trading accusations. Reports indicate that unrest in parts of Senapati is linked to attempts to enforce shutdowns and road blockades called by the United Naga Council in protest against the ambush, which Naga groups have attributed to suspected Kuki insurgents.
There is no official confirmation yet on casualties or the scale of the firing. Security forces have been deployed to the area to control the situation.
The unrest highlights the fragile security environment in Manipur, where long-standing territorial and political disputes between Naga and Kuki groups have periodically turned violent.
Separately, protests were reported in Imphal West district, where a torch rally defied curfew and later clashed with security forces. Educational institutions, markets, and public transport services remained shut across several valley districts as well as in Naga-inhabited areas of Ukhrul and Senapati.
Tensions also flared in Thoubal district during a visit by Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh, where protesters blocked roads and attempted to stop his convoy. Security personnel used tear gas and reportedly fired to disperse the crowd.
Authorities have not yet issued a detailed statement on the incidents, and the situation remains tense.