Two Naga civilians were killed and two others injured in a shooting in Manipur’s Senapati district on September 26, hours before the United Naga Council (UNC) suspended its four-month economic blockade of the state’s national highways.
The shooting took place at around 3 pm at Kalenjang village, near the Naga-majority Senapati district. Officials said suspected militants opened fire on civilians. The attackers had not been identified, and an investigation was underway.
Two Naga Civilians Killed in Shooting
The deceased were identified as Rocky Mao and Kumar Poumai, officials said.
Two others, identified as 33-year-old Adani Manio and 49-year-old Ashiho Sani, sustained injuries in the attack. They were taken to a private hospital in Senapati for treatment.
The bodies of the two deceased were taken to Senapati District Hospital for post-mortem examinations, according to officials.
The identities and affiliations of the attackers had not been publicly established when reports emerged about the incident.
Shooting Came Amid Highway Blockade Suspension
The killings occurred shortly before the UNC announced the suspension of its economic blockade.
The Naga apex body said it would suspend the blockade from 6 pm on September 26, following a tripartite meeting involving the Centre, the Manipur government and the UNC in Guwahati.
The decision followed discussions on the Naga body’s demands and the wider law-and-order situation in the state.
The timing of the shooting added to tensions surrounding the decision to ease the blockade.
UNC Had Blocked Major National Highways
The UNC had imposed an economic blockade on major highways in Manipur following the abduction and subsequent killing of six Naga civilians in May.
The blockade affected routes including NH-2 and NH-37. It was later expanded to additional highways as the UNC intensified its agitation.
The organisation had cited several demands, including action against those responsible for the deaths of the six Naga men and changes concerning the Suspension of Operations agreement with Kuki armed groups. It also demanded the removal of Manipur Deputy Chief Minister Nemcha Kipgen.
Tripartite Talks Lead to Temporary Suspension
The September 26 meeting in Assam marked the first tripartite engagement involving the UNC, the Union government and the Manipur government.
UNC president Ng Lorho said the organisation had reached an understanding with the governments to address its demands and would temporarily suspend the blockade.
The talks also discussed the recent killing of four Tangkhul Naga civilians in Kamjong district, according to the UNC leadership.
The temporary suspension was therefore presented as a step towards addressing the Naga body’s concerns through dialogue.
Four More Naga Civilians Killed in Kamjong
The Kalenjang attack followed another deadly incident in Manipur.
Four Tangkhul Naga civilians were killed at Pilong village in Kamjong district on September 24. Officials said the victims were shot by suspected militants from across the Myanmar border.
The two incidents contributed to heightened concern over the security situation in Naga-inhabited areas of Manipur. Reports said at least 13 people had been killed in separate gun attacks across several districts during September.
Blockade Had Affected Essential Supplies
The prolonged blockade disrupted the movement of goods along major highways and affected supplies in several parts of Manipur.
The Imphal Valley faced shortages of essential commodities, including medicines, fuel and food items. Kuki-Zo-dominated hill districts that depend on supply routes passing through Naga areas were also affected.
The Indian Express reported that fuel and other essential commodities became difficult to obtain in some areas during the blockade.
The temporary suspension could therefore allow greater movement of commercial vehicles and essential supplies along the affected routes.
UNC Demands Action Over Six Naga Deaths
The highway blockade was closely linked to the deaths of six Naga civilians who were abducted from Leilon Vaiphei village in May.
The bodies of the six men were recovered in June, after which the UNC intensified its agitation.
The organisation has demanded that those responsible be identified and prosecuted. It has also sought the revocation of the Suspension of Operations agreement with Kuki armed groups and other measures related to security in Naga-inhabited areas.
The government and security agencies are continuing to deal with the wider law-and-order situation in the state.
Investigation Into Kalenjang Attack Underway
The latest shooting has prompted an investigation by authorities.
Police had not publicly identified the attackers or established their affiliation in the immediate aftermath of the incident.
Local reports have carried allegations about the possible involvement of armed groups, but these claims have not been independently established. Authorities will have to determine the circumstances of the attack and identify those responsible.
Violence Adds to Manipur’s Security Concerns
The latest killings come against the backdrop of continuing ethnic and security tensions in Manipur.
The state has experienced repeated violence since the outbreak of the ethnic conflict in 2023. The recent attacks involving Naga civilians have added another layer to the security challenges facing the state.
The UNC has repeatedly linked its highway agitation to demands for greater security and accountability for violence against members of the Naga community.
Highway Blockade Suspended, But Tensions Remain
The UNC’s decision to suspend the blockade following talks has opened a channel for further negotiations between Naga representatives and the governments.
However, the killing of two Naga civilians on the same day demonstrates the continuing security concerns in parts of Manipur.
The immediate focus remains on the investigation into the Kalenjang shooting, the security of civilians and the implementation of understandings reached during the tripartite talks.
The UNC has temporarily eased its blockade, but its stated demands remain part of the ongoing dialogue over security and peace in Manipur.