Nine killed, dozens of homes torched in Manipur communal violence

Manipur witnessed a sharp escalation in communal violence on Thursday as clashes between Kuki and Naga communities turned deadly, with nine people killed by gunfire within a single day. The bloodshed was accompanied by widespread arson, with more than a dozen houses set ablaze across affected areas.

The fresh outbreak adds to the mounting toll of violence that has plagued the state in recent months. Security forces have been mobilized to contain the situation, though details of the precise locations and circumstances surrounding the killings remained unclear at the time of reporting.

Communal tensions between the two communities have simmered for extended periods, periodically erupting into violence that has displaced thousands and strained civic infrastructure across Manipur. State authorities have appealed for calm and announced measures to enhance security presence in volatile zones.

The incident marks one of the deadliest single-day episodes in the recent cycle of communal unrest, prompting concerns among civil society groups and administration officials about further deterioration if tensions are not de-escalated promptly. Authorities have not released official statements on casualties or damage assessments as of the latest update.