Thousands Protest in Manipur Over Missing Youths

Two missing Kuki youths were found dead in Manipur's Senapati district, triggering protests and a shutdown in Kangpokpi. The killings have added to tensions between Kuki and Naga communities

Manipur Violence: Two Missing Kuki Youths Found Dead, Protests Erupt in Kangpokpi

Manipur has witnessed fresh violence after the bodies of two missing Kuki youths were found in Senapati district on November 1, 2026. Their deaths triggered protests in Kangpokpi, a district-wide shutdown and fresh demands for action from Kuki organisations.

The incident comes amid continuing ethnic tensions in Manipur, which has been facing violence between the Meitei and Kuki communities since May 2023. More recently, tensions between Kuki and Naga communities have also escalated.

Two Kuki Youths Go Missing in Kangpokpi

On October 28, two young Kuki men, Paoginlal Hangshing, 20, and Tinginlun Chongloi, 21, went missing from the Taphou Kuki area in Kangpokpi district. The following day, the Committee on Tribal Unity (CoTU), a Kuki-Zo organisation, demanded their safe return and announced a shutdown across Kangpokpi.

On October 31, three other Kuki-Zo men were killed in a separate exchange of gunfire in Noney district. Police reported that the men died during an exchange of fire with unidentified armed individuals. The identities of those involved were not established in the police account.

Bodies Found Inside Gunny Bags

On November 1, a joint search operation by security forces found the bodies of the two missing youths at a banana farm in Senapati district. The bodies were found inside gunny bags and were reported to be mutilated. Their discovery triggered grief and anger in Kangpokpi. Thousands gathered as the bodies were brought to the district. Protesters later moved towards the Superintendent of Police's office, where clashes broke out with security forces.

Security personnel used tear gas and baton charges to disperse the crowd. At least three protesters were reported injured. Protesters also alleged that security personnel assaulted people and damaged property. The bodies were later taken to the Regional Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS) in Imphal under security. Post-mortem examinations were conducted on November 2.

CoTU Announces Shutdown and Demands Government Action

Following the killings, CoTU refused to accept the bodies for the final rites until the government addressed its demands.

Its five-point charter included:

An investigation by the National Investigation Agency (NIA).
Immediate arrest of those responsible for the killings.
Transfer of Taphou Kuki village from Senapati police jurisdiction to Kangpokpi police jurisdiction.
Removal of the NSCN-IM's Huthrong Brigade from its camp in Oklong, Senapati district.
Removal of Deputy Chief Minister Losii Dikho from his post.

CoTU alleged that armed Naga groups were responsible for the abduction and killings. However, the perpetrators have not been officially identified in the police account. The organisation also extended its shutdown and warned that it would organise a mass public meeting if the government failed to take concrete action by 5 pm on November 6.

During the shutdown, shops remained closed and National Highway 2 was blocked, affecting the movement of vehicles and goods. Essential services were exempted.

Government Hands Investigation to NIA

The Manipur government condemned the killings and appealed to people to maintain peace. Police said search operations would continue to identify and arrest those responsible.

On November 6, CoTU announced a seven-day suspension of the shutdown after receiving assurances from the state government on its outstanding demands. The organisation warned that it could restart the agitation if the government failed to fulfil its assurances.

On November 9, Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh announced that the investigation into the killings had been handed over to the National Investigation Agency. He made the announcement after meeting the families of the two deceased youths.

Manipur's Continuing Ethnic Tensions

Manipur has been facing ethnic violence since May 2023, when clashes between the Meitei and Kuki communities led to hundreds of deaths and displaced thousands of people.

In February 2026, tensions between Kuki and Naga communities also escalated following incidents of violence in the hill districts. Both communities have accused each other of attacks and killings. The latest deaths have added another layer of tension to the state, where demands for justice, security and accountability continue.

With the NIA now investigating the killings, attention remains on identifying those responsible and preventing further violence.