November 9, 2024: In a grim escalation of violence in Manipur, two women were killed in separate incidents over the past two days, heightening fears of further instability in the region. Authorities have confirmed the deaths, with both incidents believed to be the result of ongoing ethnic clashes between the Meitei and Kuki communities.

The first incident occurred on Thursday night in Jiribam district, where a 31-year-old woman from the Hmar tribe was brutally attacked. Police reports indicate that she was allegedly shot, raped, and then set on fire by suspected Meitei insurgents. The disturbing nature of the attack has drawn widespread condemnation and sparked outrage among local tribal communities. Jiribam’s Superintendent of Police, Kh Robinsun Singh, has formally requested permission from the district magistrate to conduct an autopsy with video recording at Silchar Medical College and Hospital in neighbouring Assam, to ensure transparency in the investigation.

The second killing took place on Saturday in Bishnupur district, where a woman from the Meitei community was shot dead while working in a paddy field. According to police, suspected Kuki insurgents fired on the woman from nearby hills, killing her instantly. The attack occurred in Saiton, a region of Bishnupur known for its proximity to areas controlled by suspected Kuki militants who are allegedly operating under the guise of 'village defense volunteers'.

Local sources indicated that the woman, who was tending to her fields with other farmers, fell victim to the crossfire in the ongoing conflict between the Meitei and Kuki insurgent groups. This attack adds to a series of similar assaults in Manipur’s valley areas, which are often near foothills where Kuki militants are believed to be active.