Imphal, Violence continues unabated in Manipur, a northeastern state of India, as four villagers were tragically killed in a recent incident involving armed attackers. This latest development underscores the persistent ethnic tensions in the region, which have already resulted in numerous deaths and displacements over the past year.

According to Kashmir Media Service, the incident occurred in a mountainous region between the districts of Choda Chandpur and Bishnoor. The victims, residents of Akka Sui village in Bishnopur, were identified as Romen Singh (38), Dara Singh (37), Ibomcha Singh (51), and his son Anand Singh (20). The group had ventured into a nearby forest to gather firewood in the cold weather when they were abducted and brutally murdered by unknown assailants. The incident adds to the escalating violence that has gripped the region.

Masked gunmen have taken responsibility for these killings in a statement released via a video on social media platforms. This act of violence is part of a larger, ongoing conflict between different ethnic groups in Manipur. Over 200 people, primarily from the Kiki Christian community, have been killed, and more than 50,000 displaced since May last year. The conflict initially flared up over a protest against the Meitei Hindu community’s demand for Scheduled Tribe status. This demand led to a ‘Tribal Solidarity March’ on May 3, which marked the beginning of the current wave of violence.

The situation in Manipur has drawn political attention, with the Indian National Congress criticizing Prime Minister Modi’s government for its handling of the crisis. The Congress expressed their concerns on a social networking site, highlighting the ongoing violence in Manipur for more than eight months. They emphasized that eight people have been killed in the last eleven days alone, signaling a deepening crisis that demands urgent attention.