A 17-year-old boy from the Naga community was killed in an alleged ambush in Manipur’s Tamenglong district while he was travelling to purchase essential commodities, police said.
Teen was travelling alone
The victim, identified as NK Wiphenbou, was reportedly travelling alone from Upper Takou village towards Tamei town when he came under attack at around 10.30 am on Monday.
Naga village volunteers later found his body along a narrow pathway. A senior police officer told The Times of India that an examination of the spot and enquiries suggested that the teenager had been ambushed. Police said there was no exchange of fire and ruled out the possibility that he had been caught in crossfire.
Police have attributed the suspected ambush to Kuki militants, although the circumstances remain under investigation. Different accounts have emerged about the incident.
Killing adds to tensions in hill districts
Awangbow Newmai, MLA from Tamei, said Wiphenbou was travelling towards Tamei to buy essential items for his family when he was attacked. Former Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh also called for action and accountability following the killing.
The incident comes amid renewed tensions between Naga and Kuki communities in parts of Manipur. The Times of India reported that five Kuki villagers had been killed in separate incidents allegedly involving suspected Naga militants over the preceding 10 days. Several houses have also reportedly been set on fire in Naga- and Kuki-inhabited areas.
The killing has added to concerns over continuing violence in Manipur’s hill districts, where communities have faced repeated incidents of armed attacks and displacement.