Manipur Violence: 3 Members Of Kuki Community Killed In Ukhrul District

In fresh violence, armed men fatally shot three individuals belonging to the Kuki community in Manipur's Ukhrul district on Friday.

Mutilated bodies of three youths were found following heavy gunfire at Kuki Thowai village in Ukhrul district on Friday, officials told PTI.

The incident occurred around 4.30 am in Thouwai Kuki, a village inhabited by Kuki tribals. This village is situated about 47 km away from Ukhrul town, the district's headquarters, which is primarily inhabited by Tangkhuls, a Naga tribe, Hindustan Times reported.

"According to our information, a group of armed miscreants approached the village from the hills located to the east of the village and started firing at village guards. Three people from the village have been killed in the incident. There are no reports of any injuries," the website quoted N Vashum, superintendent of police (SP), Ukhrul, as saying.

Sounds of heavy gunfire were heard from the village, which falls under Litan police station, early in the morning, cops told PTI.

Officials said the bodies of the three youths aged between 24 years and 35 years were found after police carried out a thorough search in the surrounding villages and forest areas. Bodies of the three persons bore injury marks apparently made using sharp knives and their limbs were also chopped off, officials said.

The ethnic clashes broke out in Manipur on May 3, after a 'Tribal Solidarity March' was organised in the hill districts to protest against the Meitei community's demand for Scheduled Tribe (ST) status.