Senapati firing in Manipur’s Senapati area has claimed a third life after one of two injured civilians died in hospital on Sunday. The shooting had already killed two Naga civilians on Saturday afternoon.
Ashiho Sani, 49, died at about 3 am at a private hospital, officials said. His body was later taken to Senapati District Hospital for post-mortem examination. Another injured man, 33-year-old Adani Manio, remains under treatment, according to reports.
Senapati firing leaves three Naga civilians dead
The attack took place around 3 pm on Saturday at Kalenjang, an area near the Naga-majority Senapati district. Police said armed assailants opened fire, killing two men and injuring two others.
The deceased were identified as K. Rocky Osanah of Chowainamai Khullen and Kh. Kumar of Laii Shirafii. Reports identified them as members of the Mao and Poumai Naga communities respectively.
Police said the victims were reportedly inside the house of the Kalenjang village chief when the shooting occurred. However, the circumstances that brought them to the house remain unclear.
Police investigate Senapati firing attack
Police reached the area after the shooting and began investigating the incident. The identities of the attackers and the motive for the firing have not been officially established.
Some local accounts have alleged the involvement of Kuki armed groups. However, those allegations remain unverified, and authorities have not publicly established responsibility. This distinction remains important as tensions continue across several hill districts.
Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh condemned the killings and described the attack as a “cowardly act of violence”, according to the Indian Express. The government has called for accountability and attention to civilian security.
What happened after the Senapati firing?
The latest death changes the casualty count from two killed and two injured to three killed and one injured. Meanwhile, the remains of the victims are being prepared for return to their respective villages, according to local reports.
A condolence service was held in Senapati on Sunday for the three victims. Naga organisations and community representatives attended and expressed solidarity with the bereaved families.
Senapati firing follows fresh Naga deaths
The shooting came only two days after four Tangkhul Naga civilians were killed at Pilong village in neighbouring Kamjong district near the Myanmar border. Police and officials have described that attack separately, with reports indicating suspected militants were involved.
Therefore, the Kalenjang shooting has added to concerns over the safety of Naga civilians in Manipur’s hill areas. Several armed attacks have been reported across Tamenglong, Kangpokpi, Noney and Kamjong during September.
At least 13 people had been killed in separate gun attacks across those districts earlier in the month, according to reports available before Sunday’s latest casualty update. The figures refer to separate incidents, not a single attack toll.
Blockade suspension adds to Senapati firing context
The shooting also occurred on the same day the United Naga Council announced the temporary suspension of its four-month economic blockade on Manipur’s national highways.
The UNC reached the decision after tripartite discussions involving the Centre, the Manipur government and Naga civil society representatives in Guwahati. The blockade had followed demands for action over the abduction and killing of six Naga men in May.
The timing has added sensitivity to the latest violence. However, there is no evidence that the suspension decision caused the shooting, and the two developments should be treated separately.
Security concerns grow after Senapati firing
The death of Sani has deepened concerns among Naga organisations about civilian safety in the region. At the same time, the identities of those responsible for the Kalenjang attack remain to be established through investigation.
Officials now face the task of determining who carried out the shooting, what led to the attack and whether any security gaps contributed to the incident. Meanwhile, the surviving injured civilian continues to receive treatment.
The violence underlines the fragile security situation in Manipur’s hill districts. Further developments will depend on the investigation and any official findings on the attack.