Imphal: Suspected Kuki militants allegedly opened fire towards Khamsom, a Poumai Naga settlement in Manipur’s Senapati district, at approximately 5:30 pm on Saturday, triggering panic amid heightened ethnic tensions in the neighbouring districts.
No casualties had been reported at the time of filing. However, residents remained on high alert following the gunfire and separate deadly clashes in adjoining Ukhrul and Kangpokpi districts over the preceding 48 hours.
Reliable local sources said the armed assailants allegedly used automatic rifles to fire towards agricultural fields belonging to Khamsom villagers.
Residents also alleged that vehicles had been seen transporting additional armed cadres towards the border area, raising fears of further escalation.
Local sources warned that militants were being mobilised along the border and appealed for immediate security reinforcements to protect civilians.
Khamsom is located at a sensitive tri-junction bordering the Saikul subdivision of Kangpokpi district and Ukhrul district. Official confirmation of the firing is awaited.
The incident follows a deadly ambush on Friday along National Highway 202, the Imphal-Ukhrul road, near New Haven village in Ukhrul district.
Four Tangkhul Naga civilians were killed in the suspected sniper and militant attack while travelling in separate vehicles, a Swift Dzire and a Bolero.
Authorities identified the victims as a mother and son from Shangshak village, Kapangkhui RS and Haoleila RS, and two siblings from Tashar village, August Ngalung and Khanmila.
Following the highway killings, the Indigenous People’s Forum blamed Kuki militants for the attack and demanded an impartial investigation.
The Kuki CSO Working Committee of Ukhrul, meanwhile, condemned the deaths, denied any community involvement and urged against assigning collective blame.
Separately, a 42-year-old Kuki woman, Kimneineng Chongloi, was fatally shot, while two men sustained injuries during a gunfight near Taphou Kuki village in Kangpokpi district and Kailengjang in neighbouring Senapati district on Thursday.
Reports indicated that the exchange of fire involved community gunmen and suspected Naga militants.
In protest against the violence, the Committee on Tribal Unity (CoTU) enforced a 48-hour total shutdown across Kangpokpi district.
The bandh shut down local markets and halted vehicular movement, while emergency services were exempted from the restrictions.