NEW DELHI, India: At least three people were killed in renewed violence in India’s northeastern state of Manipur, police said, as clashes between rival ethnic groups continue to unsettle the region.
“In a heavy exchange of fire… three individuals sustained fatal bullet injuries,” Manipur police said in a statement, confirming the deaths following gun battles in Mullam village in Ukhrul district.
Authorities did not specify which community the victims belonged to, as tensions persist between the predominantly Hindu Meitei majority and the largely Christian Kuki community.
Security tightened
Police said security had been reinforced in the area to prevent further escalation, adding: “Security measures have been enhanced in the area to prevent further escalation of violence.”
“Operations are still underway,” the statement added.
Manipur has witnessed intermittent unrest for nearly three years, with more than 250 people killed in clashes rooted in longstanding disputes over land ownership and access to government jobs.
The conflict intensified in 2023, when violence forced around 60,000 people to flee their homes, according to official figures.
Although tensions had eased in recent months, fresh incidents have reignited concerns. Earlier this month, four people, including two children, were killed in an attack attributed to a Kuki group, followed by retaliatory action by a Meitei mob.
Rights groups have accused local political actors of fuelling divisions for strategic gain, further complicating efforts to restore stability in the region.
