Suspected militants allegedly opened fire on a group of Meitei villagers collecting firewood in the Khongbal Tangkhul–Sunurok hills area under Sagolmang Police Station in Manipur, on October 19, 2026. The attack killed three people and left several others injured, triggering protests in Imphal and renewed concerns about civilian safety amid the state's continuing ethnic tensions.
According to police information reported by news outlets, the group consisted of 14 Meitei villagers who were cutting and transporting firewood when the shooting occurred. However, some reports give a different group size, so the exact number of people present remains subject to clarification.
What happened at Khongbal Tangkhul?
The incident occurred on Monday morning in the forested hills near the boundary of Imphal East and Kangpokpi districts. The area is close to Nongshum village and is also referred to in reports as Khongbal Sunurok Uyok or Hongman Sanurok.
According to Additional Director General of Police (Law and Order) Lhari Dorjee Lhatoo, unidentified armed men opened fire at around 9:40 am on villagers who were collecting and transporting firewood in the Sunurok hills under Sagolmang Police Station.
The sudden gunfire reportedly caught the villagers off guard. The victims were engaged in collecting wood when the attackers allegedly targeted them, forcing members of the group to flee or seek safety.
The attack has raised serious questions about the security of civilians who depend on nearby forest areas for firewood and other everyday needs.
Three villagers killed and three injured
The shooting resulted in three deaths, according to reports published on October 19. The deceased were identified as follows:
- Lairenlakpam Inaobi, reported to be 51 or 57 years old, depending on the news report.
- Arubam Ronil, also reported as Arubam Ronin, aged 35.
- Kshetrimayum Sushil, also spelled Susil, aged 32.
Inaobi and Ronil reportedly died at the scene, while Sushil succumbed to his injuries after being taken for medical treatment in Imphal.
Three injured villagers were identified in reports as:
- Ngangom Suraj, 19
- Meisnam Somendro, 53
- Khomdram Bosan, 45
The injured were taken to a hospital in Imphal for treatment. Reports also indicated that three people were initially unaccounted for after the attack. Their status requires confirmation from the authorities.
Security forces launch search operations
Following the attack, security forces launched a combing operation in the Sunurok hills to locate the suspected attackers and prevent further violence.
According to the Press Trust of India report published by The Samaja, the joint operation involved personnel from:
- Manipur Police
- Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF)
- CoBRA
- Assam Rifles
- Border Security Force (BSF)
Security teams deployed sniffer dogs and drones, while a helicopter was used for aerial surveillance. Mobile checkposts were also established in the area.
ADGP Lhari Dorjee Lhatoo said the authorities were treating the incident seriously and monitoring the situation closely. He also assured the public that action would be taken against those responsible and appealed for restraint to prevent further escalation.
Protest outside the Manipur Chief Minister's residence
The killings sparked anger among residents in Imphal, with demonstrators demanding immediate action against the perpetrators.
Protesters brought the bodies of victims to the entrance of Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh's official residence in Babupara. The demonstration reflected public frustration over repeated attacks on civilians and concerns about the effectiveness of security arrangements.
Police fired tear gas shells to disperse protesters, and the bodies were subsequently taken to the Jawaharlal Nehru Institute of Medical Sciences (JNIMS) for further procedures. Security was tightened around the Chief Minister's residence and nearby routes.
Markets shut and demonstrations reported
The incident also disrupted normal life in parts of Imphal. Demonstrations were reported at Khurai Lamlong, while women staged a protest at Ema Keithel market. Several markets and shops across the state capital reportedly shut amid growing anger over the killings.
Local political representatives demanded swift action. Congress MLA Th. Lokeshwar called for the perpetrators to be arrested within 24 hours, according to India Today. The demand reflected mounting pressure on the state government to improve civilian protection and bring those responsible to justice.
Why the incident is significant
The shooting occurred in a sensitive area near the boundary between Imphal East and Kangpokpi districts, where security concerns have persisted during Manipur's prolonged ethnic conflict.
Since violence erupted in Manipur on May 3, 2023, clashes and attacks have repeatedly raised concerns about civilian safety, displacement, access to essential resources and the restoration of normal life.
For villagers who rely on nearby forest areas to collect firewood, such an attack creates immediate risks and can discourage people from carrying out routine activities. The latest incident has renewed questions about whether adequate security arrangements are in place for civilians travelling to vulnerable areas.
Who carried out the attack?
As of the reports published on October 19, the attackers had been described as unidentified armed men or suspected militants. Although some local groups and political voices have blamed particular armed organizations, those allegations should not be treated as established fact without confirmation from investigators.
The identity of the attackers, their motive and the circumstances that led to the shooting require a thorough investigation. The authorities' search operation was aimed at locating the perpetrators and preventing further violence.
Latest update and what happens next
The main developments reported on October 19 were:
- Three Meitei firewood collectors were killed.
- Three others were reported injured.
- Three people were initially reported missing or unaccounted for.
- Security forces launched a combing operation with ground teams, drones, sniffer dogs and helicopter surveillance.
- Protests took place in Imphal, including outside the Chief Minister's residence.
- Authorities appealed for restraint and promised action against those responsible.
These details reflect reporting available on October 19, 2026. A confirmed update on arrests, the final number of people involved, the status of those initially missing and the identities of the perpetrators was not established in the sources reviewed.
The attack on Meitei villagers collecting firewood near Khongbal Tangkhul and the Sunurok hills is another serious incident in Manipur's continuing security crisis. The deaths, injuries and subsequent protests underline the urgent need to protect civilians, establish the facts through an impartial investigation and hold those responsible accountable.
Preventing further attacks will require effective security measures, reliable investigations and efforts to avoid retaliatory violence that could put more innocent lives at risk.
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