Three Kuki civilians were killed and several houses were set on fire after armed assailants attacked Loibol Khullen village in Manipur’s Kangpokpi district in the early hours of Friday. The incident has renewed concerns over the fragile peace in the state and poses a fresh challenge for the four-month-old government led by Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh.
According to reports, armed men entered the village before dawn and opened fire on sleeping residents. Multiple houses and vehicles were also torched during the attack. Heavy firing was reported around 4 a.m. in the New Keithelmanbi area under the Saitu-Gamphazol subdivision.
Chief Minister Singh condemned the incident, calling it a “heinous and cowardly act.” He said the targeting of civilians was “completely unacceptable.” In a statement issued by his secretariat, the Chief Minister directed state police and central security forces to launch immediate operations to identify and arrest those responsible. He also ordered security to be strengthened in vulnerable areas and directed authorities to provide relief and assistance to the affected families.
The victims were identified as Letkhongam Haokip (34), village chief and son of Manglung Haokip; his wife, Tinmary Tuboi Haokip (25); and Jangminlal Haokip (30), son of Seikhohao Haokip. Reports said between six and seven houses were burned down forcing residents to flee into nearby forests.
Kuki Inpi Manipur (KIM), the apex civil society body of the Kuki-Zo tribes, strongly condemned the killings. The organisation accused cadres of the National Socialist Council of Nagalim (NSCN-IM) and its alleged proxy, the Zeliangrong United Front (ZUF-Kamson faction), of carrying out the attack.
“This reprehensible act of violence has resulted in the tragic killing of three innocent civilians… while seven houses were reduced to ashes,” KIM said in a statement. The organisation demanded a thorough investigation, immediate arrests and stronger protection for vulnerable villages. Naga groups had not issued any response at the time of reporting.
The attack came days after Chief Minister Singh condemned the stabbing death of Havildar Kh. Suresh Singh of the 4th India Reserve Battalion on June 3. Police later made an arrest in that case. Deputy Chief Minister Nemcha Kipgen and local MLA Haokholet Kipgen also expressed grief over the Loibol incident. Haokholet Kipgen described the attack as “barbaric” and urged Central forces and the Government of India to restore security. Home Minister Govindas Konthoujam said a detailed report on the incident was still awaited.
Manipur has undergone major political changes since February 2026, when President’s Rule ended and Yumnam Khemchand Singh, a BJP leader and former Speaker from Singjamei constituency, took oath as Chief Minister.
His government inherited a state deeply affected by ethnic violence between the Meitei community in the valley and the Kuki-Zo tribes in the hills. The conflict, which began in May 2023, has claimed hundreds of lives, displaced tens of thousands of people and led to the separation of communities through security-enforced buffer zones.
The violence initially stemmed from issues related to Scheduled Tribe status demands, land rights and political representation. Over time, it evolved into a more complex conflict involving militant groups, factional rivalries and recurring incidents of violence. In recent months, Manipur has witnessed ambushes, abductions and incidents such as the April 2026 bomb blast in Bishnupur that killed two children.
Kangpokpi district has long remained a sensitive area because of its mixed population and proximity to key boundaries.
Although the Chief Minister has initiated dialogue efforts, including talks with Kuki-Zo representatives in March, conditions on the ground remain difficult. KIM’s demand for an investigation and stronger security reflects broader calls from tribal organisations for justice and protection. At the same time, Meitei groups continue to raise concerns related to displacement and militancy.
The Chief Minister’s condemnations of two separate incidents on the same day underline the government’s efforts to maintain law and order. However, critics argue that recurring violence points to deeper challenges, including arms and drug trafficking, distrust among communities and the limits of a security-focused response without political reconciliation.
Security forces have been deployed to Loibol Khullen and investigations are underway. Residents have demanded not only arrests but also a sustained security presence to prevent further violence and possible reprisals.
As Manipur enters its fourth year of unrest, the killings in Loibol Khullen highlight the continuing challenges facing the state. The incident presents another test for Chief Minister Singh’s government as it seeks to balance the concerns of different ethnic communities while improving security and development.