Reports of an alleged attack on a group of Meitei people in the Uyumpok–Nongshum area of Imphal East have triggered concern. Three reported killed in initial reports.
BY PC Bureau
October 19, 2026: Reports of an alleged attack on a group of Meitei farmers in the Uyumpok–Nongshum area of Imphal East district, near the Khamenlok foothills, triggered concern on Monday, with the number of casualties and the circumstances of the incident yet to be independently established. Initial reports claimed two casualties and six injured, but the figure could not be independently verified.
The group was reportedly engaged in farming or collecting firewood when the alleged attack took place in the foothill region.
Meitei civil society organisations and social media users have accused suspected Kuki militants of carrying out the alleged attack. However, the identity of the attackers remains unverified, and the reported presence of Kuki armed groups in the area has not been independently established. The location also raises questions about the allegation: Uyumpok–Nongshum lies in the Imphal East foothill belt, relatively close to the state capital and in a security-sensitive area where the movement of armed groups could attract attention from security forces.
The incident is reported to have occurred in a sensitive area near the boundary between Imphal East and Kangpokpi districts. The region has witnessed repeated security concerns since the outbreak of ethnic violence between the Meitei and Kuki-Zo communities in May 2023.
Sensitive area near Khamenlok
Uyumpok and Nongshum lie near the Khamenlok foothills, an area that witnessed deadly clashes between Meities and Kuki-Zo people during the wider ethnic conflict in June 2023. The violence in the surrounding region resulted in deaths, the burning of villages and heightened insecurity for residents on both sides of the foothill belt.
The area has remained sensitive amid continuing concerns over the safety of settlements, access to agricultural land and the deployment of security personnel.
In June 2026, residents of Uyumpok, Nongshum and neighbouring villages protested the relocation of a designated camp of the Pambei-led United National Liberation Front (UNLF-P) from Nongshum. Residents expressed concern about security in the foothill region following the proposed relocation.
The cadres were subsequently shifted, and personnel of the 10th India Reserve Battalion were deployed at the vacated site, according to contemporary reports.
Alternative Route Conflict
Meanwhile, tensions between Naga and Kuki communities in Manipur’s Kangpokpi district have intensified over the construction of the Koutruk–Konsakhul road, with Naga organisations demanding that work proceed while a Kuki tribal body has called for an immediate halt to the project.
The dispute has added to tensions in the region, where a series of violent incidents has deepened insecurity and complicated efforts to maintain connectivity between villages and the state capital.
The Joint Tribe Students’ Association (JTSA), representing the Inpui, Liangmai, Rongmei and Zeme Naga tribes, has urged the Manipur government to expedite construction of the road, describing it as essential for residents of Konsakhul village.
However, the Kuki Inpi South West Sadar Hills (KI-SWSH) has opposed the project, alleging that the proposed road encroaches on land falling under its customary jurisdiction. The organisation has demanded an immediate suspension of construction and warned of widespread protests if work continues.
READ: Communal Violence Rocks Manipur: One Killed, Several Injured
#KukiTerrorism terrorises again !!!
This time targeting and killing civilians of #Khamenlok
But the world think , this innocent villagers who are running to save their lives are the “ Hindutva Gangs” killing minority kuki Christians
Yet the #BJP govt of Manipur has failed to protect this so called “ Hindu Majority Meiteis” or the “ Mighty Naga” from being mutilated , slaughtered , targeted by the AK47 armed #KukiMilitants
Neither #IndianNationalCongress are interested to even raised a voice
Meanwhile the “ poor innocent villagers” suffer in silence
@UNODC_SEAP @UNODC_ROSA @BJP4India
— TheBlueHills (@TheBlueHills49) October 19, 2026
According to the JTSA, the proposed road is necessary because the traditional route through Lailon Vaiphei and Leimakhong has become unsafe following an abduction incident on May 13 that the association says resulted in six Naga casualties.
The association said residents of Konsakhul were facing difficulties travelling to Imphal for medical treatment, education, trade and other essential activities because of the security situation along existing routes.
JTSA has maintained that the proposed road bypasses Kuki settlements and should not be interpreted as a provocation against any community. It has called on the state government to ensure that construction proceeds without unlawful obstruction.
Kuki body raises territorial concerns
The KI-SWSH, meanwhile, has argued that infrastructure development cannot proceed without addressing local territorial and customary land concerns.
In a statement issued through its information department, the organisation called for construction to be stopped and warned that continuing the project without resolving the dispute could trigger protests and aggravate ethnic tensions.
The competing positions have placed the state government under pressure to address both the connectivity concerns raised by Konsakhul residents and the objections raised by the Kuki organisation.
The territorial claims made by the two sides have not been independently adjudicated in the information available for this report.
JTSA seeks security and dialogue
In response to the opposition to the project, the JTSA has urged the district administration and security forces to provide immediate protection for construction workers, machinery and equipment.
It has also called for action against those allegedly obstructing the work unlawfully, while urging the government to convene peaceful talks with all stakeholders to resolve the dispute.
The association has argued that residents should not be deprived of access to essential services because of the prevailing tensions and has called for a solution that allows construction to proceed while addressing legitimate concerns through dialogue.
The road dispute is unfolding against the backdrop of broader insecurity in Manipur, where ethnic tensions and attacks in several hill areas have raised concerns about civilian safety and movement.
