Imphal, Sept 16: At least six Kuki-Zo civilians have been killed in three separate attacks across vulnerable areas of Manipur since September 13, with the latest incident claiming the lives of two women at Leisang in Jiribam district on Tuesday. The latest attack took place around 3 pm on Tuesday in the Leisang-Muktokhal area, where two Kuki-Zo women were reportedly shot dead while working at their farms.

The victims were identified as Chonga Sitlhou, 60, and Kimboi Singson, 30, both residents of Leisang village. According to local accounts, Sitlhou was collecting firewood at her farm when she came under fire.

Singson, who had recently completed her nursing studies and returned home to assist her parents with farming, was also killed. Several farmhouses in and around the area were reportedly set ablaze following the attack.

Local sources also said several villagers who had gone to their farms remained unaccounted for, although the exact number of missing persons could not be confirmed. The killings have heightened fears among civilians living along the Jiribam-Tamenglong boundary and triggered fresh demands for security and accountability from Kuki-Zo civil society organisations.

The alleged involvement of NSCN-IM militants has been cited in local accounts, while some sources have also alleged the involvement of ZUF-K. The allegations, however, could not be independently verified by The Assam Tribune.

The Leisang killings came two days after four Kuki-Zo civilians, including a couple, were killed in separate attacks at Tollen in Tamenglong district and Longpi in Noney district on September 13. The Tollen attack claimed the lives of Seikhoneh Singsit and Lhingjangai Singsit, leaving their four minor children orphaned.

The Longpi attack also resulted in the deaths of two Kuki-Zo civilians. Amid the fresh violence, the Kuki-Zo Council (KZC), on Tuesday, directed that Kuki-Zo persons allegedly killed by Naga armed groups in Manipur should not be buried until further notice.

In a public notice, the KZC directed that the mortal remains of such victims be preserved in the nearest available cold-storage facility until further instructions. The council said the decision was taken in response to what it described as “continuing and unabated violence against Kuki-Zo civilians by Naga armed groups”.

The directive comes as the government faces mounting pressure over the recent attacks. Following the Tollen killings, the Manipur government agreed to initiate the process of handing over the case to the National Investigation Agency (NIA) and accepted demands for compensation, medical treatment for the injured child, rehabilitation of the four orphaned children and enhanced security in vulnerable areas.