Overview
- Mangthang Haokip, chief of T Khonomphai in Henglep, was attacked around 4.30 pm on Monday by armed assailants, police said.
- He was carried to Khaopijang en route to Churachandpur district hospital and was declared dead on arrival, with the body later handed to villagers.
- Henglep police registered a case and launched an investigation into the killing.
- The United Kuki National Army is suspected in the assault, according to security agencies; the group is outside the Suspension of Operations framework after the state withdrew it in 2023.
- Local chiefs condemned the killing as the community endures prolonged ethnic violence since May 2023, with recent UKNA-linked attacks including a June ambush that killed civilians and a KNO/KNA leader.