Manipur Crisis Escalates: Village Chief Brutally Murdered by Suspected UKNA Militants in Churachandpur

A 50-year-old village chief in Churachandpur district of southern Manipur was fatally beaten by suspected militants belonging to the United Kuki National Army (UKNA).

In Imphal, district officials reported that M Haokip was assaulted on Monday. Local residents rushed him to the main hospital in Churachandpur town, but he unfortunately succumbed to his injuries during transit.

According to locals, the attackers used sticks and blunt objects to assault Haokip, resulting in numerous bruises and lacerations on his body. Neither Haokip's family nor police have disclosed potential motives behind the UKNA attack. Law enforcement has registered a first information report (FIR) regarding the incident.

Haokip served as the chief of T Khonomphai village in the Henglep sub-division. Despite a state law passed in 1967 intended to abolish the traditional system, Manipur continues to operate under a hereditary chieftainship structure for village administration. In contrast, neighboring Mizoram eliminated hereditary chieftainship back in 1954.

The UKNA does not belong to the coalition of approximately two dozen Kuki, Zomi, and Hmar insurgent groups that recently renewed their suspension of operations (SoO) agreement with both the central and state governments on September 4, valid for one year.

Under the SoO agreement, military operations against insurgents cease provided they adhere to ground rules such as remaining in designated camps and keeping weapons securely locked in storage.

In July, the UKNA carried out an ambush that resulted in the deaths of the Kuki National Army (KNA) deputy chief, two additional KNA militants, and an innocent bystander in Churachandpur. Following this attack, a purported UKNA statement circulated in WhatsApp groups claimed the ambush was retribution for the alleged killing of a UKNA leader and over 30 individuals by the KNA.

Local sources indicate that tensions between the KNA and UKNA have escalated recently. Additionally, in April 2024, the UKNA claimed responsibility for an ambush targeting civilian fuel tankers on National Highway 37, which connects to Silchar in Assam.

This fatal attack on the village chief occurred shortly after "anti-social elements" issued threats against a senior police officer and his family in Churachandpur district.

The police released a statement on social media platform X, saying: "An incident has come to light wherein a senior officer of Churachandpur police and his family were threatened online by certain anti-social elements... A case has been registered, and an investigation is in progress to identify and take strict legal action against those involved. Any attempt to intimidate or obstruct police officers in the discharge of their lawful duties will not be tolerated..."

Manipur has recently experienced extortion attempts targeting law enforcement by "illegal organisations." In February this year, the Kangpokpi district police chief instructed police personnel not to submit to monetary demands from such organizations.

Kangpokpi Superintendent of Police (SP) Manoj Prabhakar issued a notification stating: "It has been reported that a few illegal organisations are demanding money from police personnel in Kangpokpi. It is hereby instructed to the rank and file of Kangpokpi district police to abstain from yielding to the demand."