A Kuki woman, Hatneikim Haokip, was shot dead in an alleged ambush in Manipur Kamjong district on October 15. Her husband sustained a gunshot wound, while another couple travelling with them remains missing
BY PC Bureau
October 15: A Kuki woman was shot dead and her husband sustained bullet injuries in an alleged ambush in Manipur Kamjong district on Thursday, October 15, while another couple travelling with them went missing, according to preliminary reports.
The woman, identified as Hatneikim Haokip, a resident of Molvailup village, was travelling to Phaikoh with her husband, Jangkhongam Haokip, and another couple, D. Paokhothang Haokip and his wife, Boishi Haokip, when the attack occurred.
The four civilians were reportedly ambushed between 4 pm and 5 pm on the road between Molvailup and Phaikoh. Hatneikim was killed at the scene, while her husband escaped with a gunshot wound. The whereabouts of Paokhothang and Boishi remained unknown, prompting concerns for their safety.
Preliminary reports identified suspected NSCN-IM cadres as the alleged attackers, although the report said it could not independently confirm the woman’s death at the time of publication.
Fresh concerns over civilian safety
The latest incident comes amid heightened insecurity in Manipur hill districts, where a series of killings, ambushes and arson attacks have been reported in recent days.
On October 9, Kuki woman Domkhonei Touthang was killed during an exchange of fire near Chassad village in Kamjong district. Manipur Police said security personnel had been conducting an operation to dismantle alleged illegal bunkers when unidentified individuals opened fire. The incident was followed by further violence and reports of houses being set ablaze.
Subsequent incidents across Kamjong, Kangpokpi and Ukhrul districts included the reported killings of civilians and village guards, as well as attacks on people travelling along roads in vulnerable areas. The violence has intensified concerns about the ability of security agencies to protect civilians and prevent further escalation.
The latest reported ambush has added to these fears, particularly because the victims were civilians travelling together and the fate of two members of the group remains uncertain.
🚨 BREAKING NEWS | 15 OCTOBER 2026
Another Kuki Woman Reportedly Shot Dead in Kamjong; NSCN-IM Accused
KAMJONG, MANIPUR | Another Kuki woman, identified as Hatneikim Haokip, was reportedly shot dead in Kamjong district, Manipur.
The incident has raised renewed concerns over the safety and security of Kuki-Zo civilians, particularly women, amid continuing tensions and reports of violence in the region.
#CHIKIM_TE_AWGIN
@chinkukimizogin#BreakingNews #Kamjong #Ukhrul #Manipur #KukiZo #HatneikimHaokip #JusticeForKukiZo #NSCNIM
— 𝐂𝐇𝐈𝐊𝐈𝐌-𝐓𝐄-𝐀𝐖𝐆𝐈𝐍 (@chinkukimizogin) October 15, 2026
NSCN-IM accused; investigation needed
The allegation that NSCN-IM cadres were responsible for Thursday’s attack has been raised in preliminary reporting. However, responsibility for the incident must be established through an impartial investigation, and the allegation should not be treated as a confirmed finding until corroborated by investigators or other reliable evidence.
The killing also raises urgent questions about whether security forces had received warnings of possible attacks along the route and what arrangements were in place to protect residents travelling between villages.
The immediate priorities are to establish the full circumstances of the ambush, locate the missing couple, provide medical assistance to the injured husband and identify those responsible.
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Calls for government intervention
The incident is likely to intensify demands from Kuki-Zo organisations for stronger security measures and accountability for attacks on civilians. Community representatives have repeatedly called on the governments of India and Manipur to prevent further bloodshed and ensure that killings and disappearances are investigated.
The wider situation requires a response that protects civilians across communities, rather than allowing successive attacks to fuel retaliatory violence. Investigations must establish responsibility on the basis of evidence, while security agencies must take credible steps to prevent further attacks on people travelling on isolated roads.
For Hatneikim’s family, the immediate loss is compounded by uncertainty over the fate of the couple who were travelling with her. Until their whereabouts are established and the attack is fully investigated, serious questions will remain about civilian security in Kamjong district.
The key unanswered questions are whether the missing couple are alive, who carried out the ambush and what measures the authorities will take to prevent another attack.
