The killing of five Kuki men within 24 hours has heightened tensions in Manipur, adding to the escalating conflict between the Kuki and Naga communities.

While three men were killed in an exchange of fire in Noney district, the bodies of two other Kuki youths who had gone missing in late October were recovered from a banana plantation near the Kangpokpi-Senapati district boundary.

The gunfight took place on Saturday (October 31) morning at Kekru Naga village in Noney district, a forested hill region, and continued for several hours, according to the police. Kuki civil society organisations identified the three deceased as “village volunteers”.

The Kuki Inpi Manipur, the community’s apex body, held “Naga militant groups” responsible and called for “justice, accountability and immediate state action”.

The two other victims were identified as Paoginlal Hangsing, 20, and Thangginlun Congloi, 21. They had reportedly been missing since late October after disappearing from Taphou Kuki village.

Their bodies, which were found mutilated and stuffed into gunny bags, were recovered on Sunday (November 1) from a banana farm along SP Road, a hilly route connecting Senapati and Kangpokpi districts.

The recovery took place during a search operation involving joint teams of the Manipur Police, Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and Assam Rifles. Senapati district has a predominantly Naga population, while Kangpokpi is largely inhabited by the Kuki-Zo community, although some Naga settlements are also located in the latter.

“During the course of one such operation, the joint teams recovered the two bodies. The bodies are of the two missing Kuki youths,” an officer was quoted as saying by PTI.

In a statement, the police said: “An extensive search operation was conducted today by joint teams comprising the Manipur Police, CoBRA, CRPF, Assam Rifles and RAF in the general area east of NH-2, along the SP Road.”

The discovery of the bodies triggered protests in Kangpokpi, the district headquarters, with demonstrators alleging that Naga militants had abducted and killed the two youths. Police and security personnel used batons and tear gas to disperse protesters gathered outside the Superintendent of Police's office. Officials said some protesters claimed to have sustained injuries.

The demonstrators also refused to take the bodies home for the last rites until those responsible for the killings were arrested.

Although the police have not identified any individuals or groups in connection with the killings, Kuki organisations have accused the National Socialist Council of Nagaland-Isak Muivah (NSCN-IM), a Naga armed outfit that has been under a ceasefire agreement since 1997. The group has faced allegations of involvement in similar incidents in the past but has denied any role, Deccan Herald reported.

The Kuki Human Rights Forum has also demanded a thorough investigation and action against the Naga armed groups allegedly involved in the killings. Deputy Chief Ministers Nemcha Kipgen, who belongs to the Kuki community, and Losii Dikho, a Naga, condemned the deaths.

The latest killings have further aggravated an ethnic conflict that has claimed more than 50 lives since February this year, according to PTI.

Several houses have also been burnt across Tamenglong, Noney, Kamjong, Ukhrul and Kangpokpi districts.

The fresh violence comes against the backdrop of the wider ethnic conflict between the Meiteis of the Imphal Valley and the hill-based Kuki community, which has left more than 300 people dead, 49 missing and thousands displaced.