A Meitei Man Shot Dead While Visiting Kuki-Zo Wife in Churachandpur
In a chilling incident that has reignited ethnic strains in Manipur, a 31-year-old Meitei man was abducted and killed by armed assailants on Wednesday evening while staying at his Kuki-Zo wife’s home in the Kuki-Zo-dominated Churachandpur district.
The victim, Mayanglambam Rishikanta Singh, originally from Kakching district, had returned from work in Nepal and had been living with his wife, Chingnu Haokip, in Tuibong village since December 19. The couple, who are childless, reportedly obtained permission from relevant Kuki-Zo organisations for his visit in the conflict-sensitive area.
According to police sources, three or four armed individuals abducted the couple from the wife’s residence. The wife was reportedly ejected from the vehicle, while the husband was taken to T. Natjang area—about 25 to 30 minutes away—and shot dead around 7.30 pm. His body, bearing bullet injuries, was recovered by 10.30 pm that night.
A widely circulated video from the incident depicted a man—believed to be the victim—pleading with folded hands before being killed. Background audio captured a woman’s distressed voice and another man’s. The clip, which spread rapidly on social media on Thursday, sparked outrage, protests, and renewed scrutiny of the security apparatus in the violence-plagued state.
ALSO READ : Manipur Breakthrough: Kuki-Zo Council to Open NH-2, Signs Fresh Peace Agreement with Centre
Rishikanta’s family and locals staged demonstrations at Khunou Bazar in Kakching, blocking the Imphal-Sugnu road to condemn the killing.
The ethnic conflict between Meiteis and Kuki-Zos, which broke out on May 3, 2023, has claimed over 260 lives and displaced around 60,000 people. It has rendered travel between community-dominated areas extremely hazardous, particularly for inter-community couples and families.
Some reports linked the United Kuki National Army (UKNA)—a militant outfit not covered under the Suspension of Operations agreement—to the crime, amid heightened security operations against the group in Churachandpur since last month. However, an official described such claims as subject to ongoing investigation. The Kuki National Organisation (KNO) denied any awareness of the visit or involvement in the incident.
Late Thursday, the Manipur government transferred the case to the National Investigation Agency (NIA) for probe. Meitei groups, including the Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity and the Meitei Heritage Society, condemned the “cold-blooded execution,” questioning the effectiveness of central forces despite heavy deployment.
The killing underscores the persistent dangers faced by mixed couples in the region, even as political efforts continue to restore normalcy under President’s rule, set to expire on February 13.