Guwahati: A Kuki woman was killed and three men — two Kukis and one Naga — were injured in two separate firing incidents in Manipur’s Senapati and Ukhrul districts on Thursday, prompting the deployment of additional security forces and search operations.The woman, Kimneineng Chongloi (41), was caught in the crossfire when armed Naga and Kuki men exchanged fire near the Senapati-Kangpokpi inter-district border around 11 am.The firing took place between Taphou in Kangpokpi and Kailengjang in Senapati. Security forces and locals later found Chongloi’s body in a field, still clutching the sickle she had been using.Two Kuki men, David Chongloi (34) and Lamkhochon Chonglo (46), sustained bullet injuries in the firing.Manipur Police stated, “The security forces have cordoned off the nearby villages and are conducting search operations to prevent further escalation of violence. The two injured persons were evacuated by police and CRPF personnel and shifted to hospital. Investigation has been initiated, and suspects are being questioned in connection with the incident.”Hours later, around 3 pm, Naga farmers harvesting paddy came under fire in Ukhrul district. Police said, “Suspected Kuki armed miscreants fired several rounds from Lungter Hills towards farmers of Sinakeithel village in Ukhrul district.”Newton Mahung (45), of Sinakeithel village, suffered a bullet injury to his right shoulder.“Security forces deployed in the Sinakeithel area, comprising Ukhrul District Police, BSF and 6th MR, retaliated against the armed miscreants. The injured person was evacuated by security forces and rushed to district hospital, Ukhrul. The farmers present in the area were also safely evacuated by security force,” police said.The incidents occurred days after two Kuki youths from Taphou Kuki village — Paoginlal Hangshing and Tinginlun Chongloi — went missing. Their bodies were found in Senapati district on Nov 1. The state govt has handed over the investigation into their deaths to NIA.The Committee on Tribal Unity (CoTU) accused the govt of failing to protect civilians despite repeated warnings. It alleged that militants linked to NSCN-IM and ZUF-K were behind the Senapati attack, and claimed the firing took place despite the presence of a joint CRPF contingent.The organisation accused the govt of indifference and of selectively responding to the security concerns of the Kuki-Zo community.Meanwhile, a joint team of Churachandpur police and Army recovered a large cache of weapons and explosives during an operation in a jungle area near P Geljang village.The haul included four Chinese-made 82mm mortars, a rocket measuring around 10 feet and weighing nearly 80kg, one CMG with two magazines, a pistol without a magazine, two single-barrel rifles, five Chinese grenades, 30 mortar bombs of 82mm and 51mm calibres, six IEDs weighing 2kg and 4kg, and five rounds of 5.6mm ammunition.
