Kuki militants attack Naga farmers
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, May 26 2026: Kuki militants attacked three Naga farmers belonging to a family near Goitang Naga village, in Khoupum valley area on May 26, 2026 while they were working in their paddy fields.

The victims who were targeted have been identified as Kagundai Riamei (60) s/o Khangchunthai Riamei, Lungdailu Riamei (55) w/o Kagundai Riamei and Gailatou Riamei (35) s/ o Kagundai Riamei of Goitang (Nungadang) village, Khoupum sub-division, Noney district were fired upon by Kuki militants with automatic weapons at around 9 am today.

According to local sources, all the farmers escaped the attack unharmed.

However, one farmer went missing following the attack, causing panic among local villagers.

Later, it was confirmed that the farmer escaped unharmed and has returned home.

The attack has triggered serious concern and fear among the local villagers, with many of them describing the situation as highly alarming and sensitive.

Kadongai Panmei, secretary of the Goitang Village Authority has strongly condemned the incursion by Kuki militants into their land and narrated the incident based on the account given by the victims.

According to Kadongai, the farm is located about two hours away from Goitang village, while the Kuki village of Molphei lies barely 30 minutes away across a stream known as Duipung Thuak (Nakhallok) .

He said that the armed men, carrying sophisticated weapons, crossed the stream into the land of the Rongmei village and attacked the farmers.

He further stated that around three to four of the attackers were carrying firearms with red ribbons tied near the tips of their weapons.

The armed men reportedly ordered the farmers to place their firearm on the ground, saying in Meiteilon, "Nongmeido thammo" .

Gailatou Riamei, who was carrying a licensed SBBL gun, reportedly replied that he would put down the firearm but instead fled from the spot.

The Kuki militants opened fire with automatic arms, but he managed to escape unharmed.

The three family members then fled in different directions.

The parents reportedly feared that their son might have been shot after they lost sight of him during the incident, but he later returned safely.

Upon hearing about the attack, a combined Naga Village Guards acted swiftly, confronted the assailants and received the farmers as they returned, said a statement issued by Western Command, Naga Village Guards.

Meanwhile, several organizations have vehemently condemned the attack.

Rongmei Naga Council Manipur (RNCM), Working Committee of Joint Tribes Council (WC-JTC) and Khoupum Area Villages Authority Council (KAVAC) also issued a statement condemning what it termed a barbaric act by Kuki militants.

Describing the incident as an incursion into the territory of a Rongmei Naga village, KAVAC demanded that adequate security protection be provided to villages located along vulnerable border areas.

Molphei, a Kuki village, from which side the Kuki armed men crossed over is said to be the last village in Noney district and shares its border with the Kuki-majority Henglep sub-division of Churachandpur district.

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