Bullets allegedly fired by the Kukis hit more than 15 houses at Sinakeithei Naga Village, Ukhrul District, Manipur. The intense and sporadic firing of guns by Kuki armed militants on the 19 March 2026 hit and penetrated tin roofs and walls of the local residents causing panic to the villagers and fear for their life.
According to sources, the Kuki armed militants first attacked the Village at around 11:00AM from the south-eastern flank of Sinakeithei. After a brief cessation, the Kuki armed militants started firing from three different directions – Mt. Iris (East), Lungter Kaphung (West) and the northern part of the village settlement.
At around 3:30PM, more reinforcement of Kuki armed militants came from the Lungter Hill Range and joined the attack. Locals confirmed the reinforcement through drone footage and surveillance.
The assault and attack in the night was carried out using sophisticated weapons and heavy armaments. Many rounds of 51mm Illuminations Mortar Shell were fired. There were exchanges of fire and they continued till 1:30AM of 20 March 2026. The fire intensified in the night with more exchanges of fire from both the sides.
Locals lauded the discipline and restraint maintained by the personnel of Manipur Rifles stationed at the village. The advance of hostilities was effectively pushed back by their responding firing, and thus, created a safety perimeter for the civilians.
The incident has left many locals especially women and children in trauma. Shockingly, the Central and State Government have not taken up any decisive action to flush out the armed militants in the area. The presence of Kuki armed militants in the Lungter Hill Range and the neighbouring areas has wreaked havoc causing the people to be on constant alert, making life more insecure and difficult for the civilians.
