KAMJONG: A Kuki civilian woman was allegedly shot dead by Indian Reserve Battalion (IRB) personnel at Chassad village in Manipur’s Kamjong district on Friday evening, October 9, amid fresh tensions in the area.
The deceased has been identified as Domkhonei Touthang, wife of Lallenmang Touthang of Chassad village. According to Kuki civil society organisations, she sustained a gunshot wound during a confrontation involving IRB personnel and local residents and later succumbed to her injuries.
As per Kuki civil bodies, the incident occurred when a group of women protested against the alleged arrest and detention of Chassad village volunteers. The Kuki Human Rights Forum (KHRF) claimed that Touthang was shot while participating in the protest and died at around 9.40 pm.
In a statement issued on October 9, the KHRF condemned the killing and demanded a time-bound, independent judicial inquiry, the arrest and prosecution of the personnel involved, the release of the detained youths and the deployment of neutral central security forces to protect Kuki-Zo villages in the district. The forum also raised allegations of collusion between security personnel and armed groups, urging the Centre and the Union Ministry of Home Affairs to intervene.
Meanwhile, houses belonging to Tangkhul Naga villagers were reportedly set ablaze by unidentified miscreants during the intervening night of October 9 and 10. Local Naga villagers alleged that residents of Chassad village began burning the houses following the death of a Kuki civilian woman in the alleged IRB firing. Following the incident, the district administration imposed prohibitory restrictions within a 400-metre radius of Chassad Police Gate Junction.
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The Kuki CSO Working Committee, Ukhrul, also condemned the killing, alleging that IRB personnel stationed at Chassad Primary School’s teachers’ quarters attempted to forcibly dislodge village guards before opening indiscriminate fire on unarmed women who intervened.
In its October 9 statement, the Kuki civil body demanded the immediate registration of an FIR, an independent and time-bound investigation, and legal action against the personnel involved, including their commanding officer if culpability is established. It also questioned alleged selective enforcement by security forces and called for verification of reports concerning NSCN (IM) and NSCN (EF) movements in the region.
Separately, the Kuki CSO Working Committee, Kamjong district, alleged that IRB personnel opened fire on a gathering of civilian women at around 9 pm on Friday. In a statement dated October 10, the committee demanded the identification, arrest and prosecution of those responsible, along with the immediate removal of the IRB post from Chassad village.
The Kuki CSO Working Committee, further called for action under the relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the Arms Act. It announced an indefinite bandh and complete shutdown in Chassad village with immediate effect until its demands are met.
According to sources, the confrontation began at around 8 pm on Friday and continued intermittently as of Saturday, when this report was being filed. Houses belonging to the Tangkhul Naga community in the area were also allegedly burnt during the violence. Injuries on both sides were reported, although official confirmation was awaited.
An official statement from Manipur Police regarding the alleged firing is awaited.
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Following the incident, the District Magistrate of Kamjong issued a prohibitory order covering the area within a 400-metre radius of Chassad Police Gate Junction, citing concerns over a possible breach of peace in and around the district headquarters.
The order, issued under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), prohibits the assembly of five or more persons, the carrying of weapons and other potentially harmful objects, including firearms, sticks and stones, and the movement of people within the specified area.
