3 Kuki youths injured in Manipur fresh firing, protests erupt at RIMS

Imphal: Three Kuki youths were critically injured in a fresh bout of firing in Kangpokpi district on Monday morning, reigniting tensions in Manipur.The incident occurred at around 6 am between Leilon Vaiphei and Konsakhul villages.

The injured — Genlenmang Vaiphei (18), Lunliandan Vaiphei (20), and Paogoulal (18) — were rushed to RIMS in Imphal for treatment.As news of their admission in the hospital spread, dozens of people from Naga and Meitei communities gathered outside the hospital, questioning why special arrangements were being made for those allegedly involved in attacks on civilians. The protest came amid public outrage over the recent abduction and murder of six Naga civilians from Leilon Vaiphei on May 13.Protesters alleged that the injured youths were militants and demanded to know whether similar security measures would be extended to ordinary citizens travelling through Kuki-majority areas of Kangpokpi.As the crowd swelled, security forces were deployed across the hospital complex. Witnesses said protesters assembled near the casualty block, prompting intervention by police, who resorted to lathi charge, tear gas shells, and mock bombs to disperse the crowd after the situation turned volatile.

The action triggered panic among patients, attendants, and hospital staff, many of whom fled to safer areas.Meanwhile, the Leilon Munlui Village Authority alleged that suspected NSCN-IM militants attacked Leilon Munlui, a Kuki village located between Leilon Vaiphei and Konsakhul, at around 6 am.“Three village volunteers suffered serious injuries and are now under medical treatment,” a statement stated, condemning the attack and claiming it was launched from CRPF bunker side of Konsakhul.

The authority urged the state and central govts to arrest the perpetrators to prevent further bloodshed.Meanwhile, the All Naga Students’ Association Manipur (ANSAM) and Naga Women Union (NWU) accused the govt of “double standards”, questioning the urgency shown in evacuating suspected Kuki militants while failing to act promptly when Naga civilians went missing.