Fresh tension erupted at Kakching Khunou in Kakching district on Thursday following the killing of a 31-year-old Meitei civilian in Churachandpur district, triggering widespread protests and a shutdown in the area.
Large numbers of people gathered at Kakching Khunou Bazar and held a public meeting to protest the killing. As part of the protest, shops, business establishments, schools and government offices in the locality remained closed.
The deceased has been identified as Mayanglambam Rishikanta Singh, a resident of Uchan Makhong Leikai, Kakching Khunou. He was the son of M. Tombi Singh and the husband of Chingnu Haokip, aged 38, a resident of Tuibong village in Churachandpur district. According to a complaint filed by the family, Rishikanta was allegedly abducted on January 21, 2026, and later killed in Churachandpur.
Family members stated that Rishikanta had been working in Nepal and had returned to Manipur in December 2025 to celebrate Christmas. He reportedly arrived at his wife’s residence in Tuibong on December 19, 2025, after obtaining permission from Kuki bodies, and had been staying there since then.
The family said they first became aware of the incident after coming across a disturbing video, purportedly showing his killing, which later circulated widely on social media. This was followed by a phone call from his wife, who informed them that he had been abducted and killed by armed assailants.
Speaking to the media, a family member said Rishikanta had married a Kuki woman and had maintained close contact with his family prior to the outbreak of ethnic violence in the state. The family member added that communication became irregular after the crisis began.
According to the account given by Rishikanta’s wife, three unidentified armed men arrived at their residence at around 6.30 pm on January 21 and forcibly abducted him. She reportedly attempted to resist but was overpowered. She stated that both of them were taken in a four-wheeler to a secluded area, where she was later pushed out of the vehicle. Rishikanta was allegedly taken towards a nearby hill area and shot dead.
Following the incident, enraged local residents imposed a blockade along the Imphal–Sugnu Road, demanding justice and stronger security measures for civilians amid the continuing ethnic unrest in the state. Protesters also announced plans to hold further public meetings to deliberate on additional steps in response to the killing.
A family member said they strongly suspected the involvement of Kuki militants in what was described as a cold-blooded killing, while adding that Rishikanta’s wife had stated she was unable to identify the attackers.
A formal complaint has been lodged at Waikhong Police Station seeking a thorough investigation and strict action against those responsible. The complaint stated that at around 1.45 am on January 22, 2026, the family received telephonic confirmation from Chingnu Haokip regarding the abduction and killing.
Police officials confirmed that a case has been registered and that an investigation is underway to establish the sequence of events and identify those involved. Authorities have appealed to the public to maintain calm while the probe continues.
A Joint Action Committee formed in connection with the killing of Mayanglambam Rishikanta Singh has demanded that the case be handed over to the National Investigation Agency for an impartial and comprehensive investigation, as public anger continues to mount over the incident.
The demand was raised amid protests that erupted at Kakching Khunou on January 22, following the killing of the 31-year-old civilian, who was allegedly abducted and murdered in Churachandpur district. Agitating residents blocked the Indo–Myanmar Sugnu Road and held a public meeting, during which the Joint Action Committee was formally constituted. The gathering unanimously adopted a series of resolutions seeking justice for the victim.
The committee alleged that Rishikanta Singh was brutally killed by suspected Kuki militants and asserted that an investigation by the National Investigation Agency was necessary to ensure transparency and accountability. The JAC demanded that the victim’s body be produced at the earliest, all those involved in the crime be arrested without delay, and exemplary punishment be awarded to the culprits.
Expressing dissatisfaction over the prevailing law-and-order situation, the committee stated that public expectations of peace and stability following the imposition of President’s Rule had not been fulfilled, as civilians continued to be targeted by armed violence. In this context, the JAC also called for the restoration of a popular government in the state.
The killing has drawn strong reactions from various sections of society, while the Manipur government, currently under President’s Rule, has faced criticism for its silence on the matter. When media persons sought comments from Manipur Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla and senior officials of the Home Department, they reportedly declined to make any statement.
Rishikanta Singh was a resident of Uchan Makhong Leikai, Kakching Khunou, and the son of M. Tombi Singh. He was married to Chingnu Haokip, a resident of Tuibong village in Churachandpur district. According to the family, the couple had been staying together in Churachandpur since December 19, 2025, after Rishikanta returned from Nepal, where he had been working.
Lamjao sit in protest
A sit-in protest condemning the murder of Rishikanta was held today at Lamjao in Kakching district. The protest was organised by the Kakching District United Club Organisation and Khunai Kanba Meira Paibi Lup (KHUKAMPAL) II of Kakching district.
Speaking at the protest, General Secretary of Khunai Kanba Meira Paibi Lup, Kakching District, RK Laxmi questioned claims by the Government of India that peace has returned to the state. She stated that despite the deployment of more than 40 thousand security personnel, armed Kuki militants are allegedly moving freely with weapons and carrying out killings. She appealed to the Government of India to ensure that such incidents do not recur.
R K Laxmi also urged the authorities to bring an end to the ongoing crisis in the state at the earliest. She further called for the safe return of displaced persons currently staying in relief camps to their respective homes so that they can resume a normal and peaceful life.
