The latest incident has heightened concerns over security in Manipur’s hill districts, with villagers displaced and tensions continuing amid reports of renewed ethnic violence.
BY PC Bureau
June 11, 2026 — Two prominent leaders of Kultuh village in Manipur’s Kamjong district were killed in a pre-dawn attack on Thursday, amid continuing ethnic tensions and insecurity in the state’s hill areas.
According to local residents and Kuki civil society organisations, armed assailants entered the remote Kuki village between 4:30 a.m. and 5:00 a.m., opening fire and setting several houses ablaze. The victims were identified as Elder Letminlun Haokip, Head Deacon of the Kuki Baptist Church in Kultuh, and Lunminthang Haokip, President of the Kultuh Youth Club and Village Youth Chairman.
Eyewitnesses reported that the attackers specifically targeted the two men before torching homes and other properties. The violence forced villagers, including women, children and elderly residents, to flee into nearby forests. Several houses were reportedly destroyed, leaving families displaced at the onset of the monsoon season, a critical period for agricultural activities.
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The Head deacon and Vill Youth Chairman of Kultuh, Kuki Vill in Ukhrul Dist.were mercilessly killed today morning by the Tangkhul Nscn-im Militants.They also burnt down the village.Why is the govt.@BJP4Manipur @YKhemchandSingh still remain quite about this?? @the_hindu @ndtv pic.twitter.com/YQyyD3pyPQ
— WilliamKipgen(kuki ka parivar) (@WilliamQyps30) June 11, 2026
Local sources have alleged that cadres of the NSCN-IM (National Socialist Council of Nagalim–Isak-Muivah), particularly Tangkhul elements, were responsible for the attack, with possible involvement of militants linked to the NSCN (Eastern Flank). However, these claims have not been independently verified, and no official confirmation has been issued by security agencies or the Manipur government.
The incident follows a series of reported attacks targeting Kuki civilians in 2026. Kuki organisations claim that more than a dozen members of the community have been killed this year since March in similar pre-dawn raids allegedly carried out by NSCN-IM and allied factions. Tensions between Kuki-Zo and Naga groups have reportedly intensified in districts such as Kamjong, Ukhrul and Kangpokpi, even as the broader Meitei-Kuki conflict that began in 2023 continues to affect the state.
At around 5:00 AM this morning, Tangkhul NSCN IM attacked and burnt Kultuh, a Kuki village in Kamjong district.
They also killed two men: the Head Deacon & Youth Chairman of the village. pic.twitter.com/aaCT304POU— Lunglen (@lungletna) June 11, 2026
Both Kuki and Naga communities in the hill districts are predominantly Christian, and attacks involving church leaders and religious figures have generated widespread concern. Images circulating on social media showed burnt homes, scattered belongings and at least one body near the village, underscoring the extent of the destruction. The authenticity of these images has not been independently verified.
Security forces are said to be monitoring the situation, although details regarding arrests or ongoing operations remain limited. As of Thursday evening, the state government had not released a detailed statement on the incident.
The latest violence highlights the fragile security situation in Manipur’s hill districts and underscores calls for sustained dialogue between communities, stronger security measures and effective action against armed groups. With displacement increasing and monsoon conditions adding to the difficulties faced by affected families, demands for peace, justice and accountability continue to grow.
