Three Firewood Collectors Killed in Manipur Ambush; Protest in Imphal

Three people collecting firewood were killed and three others were injured when suspected militants opened fire on them on the border of Imphal East and Kangpokpi districts in Manipur on Monday morning, October 19, officials said. Later in the day, angry residents took two of the bodies to the Chief Minister’s official residence in Imphal, where police fired tear gas to disperse them.

Ambush in the Hills Near Nongshum

According to officials quoted by PTI, a group of 16 villagers went to the hills near Nongshum at about 7 am to collect firewood. They were fired upon at Khongbal Sunurok Uyok, a few metres from Nongshum, on the district boundary. Arubam Ronil (35) and Lairenlakpam Inaobi (51) died on the spot, and Kshetrimayum Sushil (32) died later at a private hospital in Imphal.

Three other people are under treatment, and officials said three more are still missing. One of the injured told reporters that the group was loading firewood when they were “suddenly fired upon”. Security forces have launched a search in the area.

Bodies Taken to the Chief Minister’s Gate

Residents brought two of the bodies to Imphal and placed them outside the main gate of Chief Minister Y Khemchand Singh’s residence in Babupara. Police fired several rounds of tear gas, and the bodies were then moved to the Jawaharlal Nehru Institute of Medical Sciences (JNIMS). Security was tightened around the bungalow and the roads leading to it.

The Chief Minister visited the injured at a private hospital but did not respond to media questions, PTI reported. Protesters blocked a road at Khurai Lamlong, women held a demonstration at Ema Keithel, and markets and shops across Imphal stayed shut.

Night of Clashes in Thoubal’s Khangabok

The ambush came hours after clashes between two communities in Thoubal district, about 25 km south of Imphal, on Sunday night. Police said the trouble began when stones were allegedly thrown at a ground in Khangabok village where a concert was under way. A few houses and vehicles were burnt, and Laishram Rakesh died in hospital after being shot in the head by unidentified assailants.

The Thoubal District Magistrate issued prohibitory orders under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, barring residents of Khangabok and Sangaiyumpham from leaving their homes from 11 pm on Sunday. Police said the situation there was under control by Monday morning. Separately, IANS reported that more than 25 houses were set on fire in Kamjong district over the past day.

Manipur has seen repeated violence since May 2023. Officials have not yet said who carried out Monday’s ambush. More stories from the region are on our Daily Updates page, including the earlier report on civilian deaths in neighbouring Nagaland.

Based on reporting by The Tribune / PTI, EastMojo, The Tribune / PTI and IANS.

Image: The Tribune / PTI.