Three Killed in Suspected NSCN-IM and ZUF-J Cadres' Gunfight in Manipur's Noney District

Police officers reported that on Wednesday, at least three people were killed in a gun battle between armed groups of the National Socialist Council of Nagaland-Isaac Muivah (NSCN-IM) and Zeliangrong United Front-Jenchui (ZUF-J) in Noney district of Manipur.

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Police officers said that the gunfight started at around 3.30am, about 19km east of Nungba police station.

The dead were found to be Aihung Khumba (22) of Pungmol in Noney, Meijanthui Thaimei (25) of Gangluan Part IV and Gainingam Kamei (20) of Awangkhul. It is yet to be ascertained which armed group they belonged to.

The police officers said the autopsies were conducted at the community health centre in Nungba following due procedure before handing the bodies over to their family members.

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The Rongmei Naga community and women's organisation, the Rongmei Naga Luphuam, also appealed to the armed groups, via loudspeakers, to stop fighting other Rongmeis.

Moreover, unidentified gunmen on Wednesday evening shot towards a car travelling from Imphal to Ukhrul on National Highway 202 in Ukhrul district of the state's Manipur on the approach to TM Kasom. But officials said there were no injuries in the incident.

The Naga-Kuki clashes have escalated after April 13 when four people, including three church leaders, lost their lives in two attacks. Following the ambushes, 48 people were captured, leading to protest, shutdown and a blockade of all three national highways in the state.

The ethnic conflicts in Manipur originated between Meiteis and Kukis, and subsequently spread to almost all the communities. Since the ethnic clashes started in May 2023 at least 260 people have been killed and 60,000 have been forced from their homes in the conflict zones where the Meitei and Kuki-Zo communities are dominant.

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