Kuki woman killed in Manipur crossfire during bunker demolition drive

A woman from the Kuki community was killed in firing in Kamjong district of Manipur on Tuesday during an ongoing operation to demolish unauthorized fortifications, officials said. The incident occurred as security forces conducted the demolition drive in the volatile region, where ethnic tensions have remained high in recent months.

The circumstances surrounding the fatal shooting remain unclear, with conflicting accounts emerging from the area. Security personnel stated that the operation was being conducted to remove illegal structures, though details about the engagement and its exact location were not immediately disclosed.

Following the incident, authorities imposed restrictions on movement near the Chassad police gate junction in the district as a precautionary measure. The area has witnessed repeated clashes between communities over the past several months, prompting regular security operations by law enforcement agencies.

The death adds to mounting civilian casualties in Manipur's ongoing ethnic conflict, which has claimed numerous lives and displaced thousands since tensions escalated. State police and district administration officials have not yet released an official statement addressing the circumstances of the woman's death or the scope of the movement restrictions being enforced.