Manipur Violence: Two Killed in Kangpokpi Gunfight Between Rival Groups [Video]

Fresh violence was reported from Manipur on Monday, 20 November, after a gunfight erupted between two rival groups, claiming the lives of two men in the state’s Kangpokpi district.

The Committee on Tribal Unity (COTU) identified the deceased as 38-year-old Henminlen Vaiphei and 26-year-old Thangminlun Hangshing. Vaiphei was a police official with the 6th India Reserve Battalion, according to local media reports.

The Indigenous Tribal Leaders’ Forum (ITLF), the apex body for the Kuki-Zo, said that the deceased killed in the recent violence were repairing the Lamka-Kangpokpi road that had been damaged by the recent spell of rain.

After dropping off their friends at a designated point, they were ambushed while attempting to return to Leimakhong, a mere 50 metres from where they had left their friends.

Since the victims and their friends were unarmed, they were reportedly unable to defend themselves.