Woman Killed, Family Injured in Manipur Village Attack

Imphal: Suspected militants attacked a home in Tollen village, Manipur, early Sunday morning. They opened fire around 4 am. The victim, identified as Lhingngai or Lhingjangai Singsit, died at her residence. Her husband, Seineh Singsit, and their infant son both sustained gunshot wounds. The child suffered a strike to his arm and had a bullet lodged in his buttocks.

The family had three children. Initially, all three were missing, but locals later tracked them down. Residents blamed the attack on the NSCN-IM and Naga Village Guards. No group has stepped forward to claim the act. Police confirmed the attack took place in a remote area near NH-37, the highway connecting Imphal and Jiribam.

The shooting happened on September 13. Kuki community members observe this date as Sahnit Ni, or Kuki Black Day. It marks the 1993 Joupi massacre, where scores of Kuki civilians died. Kuki groups have long pointed to the NSCN-IM for those historic killings. Regarding the regional instability, one source noted the area "remains difficult to access because of its remote location, poor road connectivity and challenging terrain."

This geography slows down emergency medical aid and evacuations. Tollen sits in the Tousem area of western Tamenglong. Recent weeks saw recurring clashes between Kuki-Zo and Naga communities. Firing incidents continue to plague the Imphal-Tamenglong road.