At least three killed in Noney gunfight between armed groups

IMPHAL – At least three people were killed in a gunfight between suspected cadres of rival armed groups at Taodaijang village in Manipur’s Noney district early on Wednesday, November 4, according to news agency PTI, while several regional outlets reported the toll in the Noney gunfight as four.

The exchange of fire began between 3.30 am and 4 am, according to different reports. Nagaland.News has not been able to independently verify the death toll, the identities of those killed or the groups involved, and no official confirmation had been issued at the time of publishing.

What is known

PTI, quoting unnamed officials, said “a heavy exchange of fire broke out around 4 am” in Taodaijang, in the Khoupum area of the Naga-majority district. The agency said cadres suspected to belong to different Naga armed groups, including the Zeliangrong United Front (Jenchui), were involved. It said locals recovered the bodies, and “further details are awaited.”

NorthEast Now reported that four cadres were killed and several others injured at Taodaijang, also known as Buanruang, under Nungba Police Station. Citing initial reports, it said the clash involved the Jenchui and Kamson factions of the Zeliangrong United Front, ZUF(J) and ZUF(K), and the NSCN-IM. Local sources told the outlet that three of the dead belonged to ZUF(J) and one to ZUF(K). Hub Network carried the same account.

The Assam Tribune gave a different breakdown. It said four people were feared dead in a suspected clash between ZUF(J) and NSCN-IM cadres, with preliminary reports linking three of the dead to ZUF(J) and one to NSCN-IM “pending verification.” The paper said the involvement of the two groups “has not been officially confirmed.” It placed the village under Rengpang Police Station, along the Old Cachar Road towards Khoupum.

The Assam Tribune also reported that intense firing continued until about 11 am, with intermittent shots after that. Early accounts differ on the injured: some reports said one person was hurt, while NorthEast Now said several cadres were injured. The number has not been confirmed.

Police yet to reach the spot

Police and security forces had not reached the site when the first reports came out, according to The Assam Tribune and NorthEast Now. NorthEast Now said the firing went on for several hours, which kept security personnel from reaching the area.

Nagaland.News found no statement from the Manipur Police, the ZUF or the NSCN-IM on the incident at the time of publishing. This report will be updated when they respond. Also Read NSCN IM Split Confirmed: Eastern Flank Declares Provisional Government

Villagers flee, women step in

Residents of Taodaijang fled to safer places as the firing went on, The Assam Tribune reported, with villagers using loudspeakers to urge others to leave.

PTI said locals, led by women, went to the spot to try to stop the violence and used a public address system to appeal to the cadres to stop firing.

The Rongmei Naga Luphuam, Nungba area, appealed to the armed groups to cease hostilities, exercise restraint and “give peace a chance,” according to Hub Network and The Assam Tribune.

Not the first clash in the area

Taodaijang has seen gunfire before. On October 6, a 36-year-old woman from the village was hit in the shoulder when suspected NSCN-IM and ZUF(J) cadres exchanged fire near the Imphal-Jiribam highway at Bunruang, NorthEast Now reported. Police registered a case at Nungba Police Station, and doctors said she was out of danger.

In December 2023, three people were killed in a gunfight at Lamdangmei village under Khoupum Police Station, Ukhrul Times reported at the time, citing sources. Also Read How Many Naga Army Factions Are There in Nagaland? Full List of 30 Organisations

The circumstances that led to Wednesday’s gunfight are not known.