Meitei man’s killing in Kuki area tests Manipur’s fragile peace

Manipur’s fragile peace is facing a fresh test after a Meitei man was abducted and shot dead in a Kuki-dominated area of Churachandpur , an incident that has already triggered protests and renewed fears of escalation in a state still recovering from the ethnic violence that began in May 2023 . Police said Mayanglambam Rishikanta Singh was abducted from his home in the Tuibong area on Wednesday and later killed near Natjang village . His wife, who is from the Kuki community, was also taken during the abduction but later released.

Investigators suspect the abductors may be linked to the United Kuki National Army (UNKA) , a militant group that is not a signatory to the Suspension of Operations (SoO) agreement. The SoO pact, signed between the Centre, the Manipur government and several Kuki-Zo armed groups, was designed to reduce armed hostilities, but the presence of non-signatory outfits continues to complicate the security response. Police said a suo motu case has been registered and operations are underway to identify and arrest those behind the killing.

The incident has reignited public anger in Meitei-dominated areas. Protests erupted in parts of Kakching district and Imphal East , where demonstrators blocked roads, burnt tyres and staged sit-ins demanding immediate arrests and stronger action. The situation became more volatile after a purported video linked to the incident circulated widely online, showing the victim pleading for his life moments before he was shot — a clip that intensified emotions and raised concerns about retaliatory tensions.

Beyond the immediate outrage, the killing highlights how fragile the current calm remains. Since violence broke out in May 2023, Manipur has become sharply divided, with Meitei and Kuki-Zo communities rarely crossing into each other’s areas. More than 260 deaths and widespread displacement have left deep scars, and many families continue to live in relief camps or temporary arrangements even as rehabilitation efforts continue. The state has also remained under heavy security deployment and tight monitoring to prevent flare-ups.

Manipur has been under President’s Rule since February 2025, reflecting the severity of the crisis and the difficulty in restoring normal governance. Peace talks have also remained limited, with officials often holding separate discussions with community representatives rather than joint meetings due to entrenched mistrust. Internet services, restored in phases after the long shutdown in 2023, have continued to face repeated suspensions during periods of tension, showing how quickly the situation can spiral.

With public emotions running high, the killing risks becoming a broader trigger unless authorities move swiftly to ensure arrests, an impartial investigation and confidence-building steps across communities.