Three militants were killed and at least four others injured in a clash between two rival Naga groups in Manipur’s Noney district. Hours later, suspected militants opened fire on passenger vehicles and a goods truck on the Imphal-Ukhrul road in Ukhrul district. No casualties were reported in the second incident.

The gunfight took place on Wednesday morning in Taodaijang village between the Genchui-led Zeliangrong United Front (ZUF-J) and a joint group of the Kamsom-led ZUF-K and the National Socialist Council of Nagalim (NSCN-IM).

Two of the deceased were members of ZUF-J, which has signed a ceasefire agreement with the central government, while the third was a member of ZUF-K.

In a statement issued on November 1, ZUF-K accused ZUF-J of joining hands with security forces. ZUF-J signed an agreement with the central government in 2022 to suspend its armed struggle.

The NSCN-IM, headquartered in Hebron, Nagaland, is a longstanding Naga armed and political organisation. It has been demanding the creation of an independent ‘Nagalim’ by bringing together Naga-inhabited areas in Assam, Nagaland, Manipur, Arunachal Pradesh and parts of Myanmar.

The organisation has a strong presence in Manipur, the home state of its chief, Mr. T Muivah.

The ZUF, meanwhile, was formed in 2011 as a regional organisation to protect the interests of the Zeliangrong community, which mainly comprises the Zeme, Liangmai and Rongmei Naga tribes. It is primarily active in Manipur’s Tamenglong and Noney districts.

In a separate incident, suspected militants opened indiscriminate fire with sophisticated weapons on passenger vehicles and a goods truck near TM Kasom village in Ukhrul district at around 4:45 pm. The vehicles were travelling from Imphal to Ukhrul and were escorted by security forces up to Litan. The attack took place after the security personnel left.

According to reports, the gunfire continued for around 10 minutes. The passengers quickly took cover, and no one was injured.

In Kangpokpi district, the Committee on Tribal Unity (CoTU) has extended its total shutdown by another 48 hours, until 5 pm on November 6. The organisation took the decision, accusing the government of failing to take appropriate action over the killing of two Kuki-Zo civilians and meet its demands.

Meanwhile, Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh has directed security agencies to identify without delay active armed groups not involved in peace talks that are suspected of having links to the recent violence.

The Indian Army, central paramilitary forces and other agencies have been asked to submit reports on the roles of these groups. The Chief Minister also warned that groups found involved in attacks on civilians could be declared unlawful.