A 38-year-old Meitei man was shot dead after being abducted along with his wife by suspected members of a banned Kuki militant group in Manipur&rsquo;s Churachandpur district late on Wednesday, officials said. The incident has shaken the fragile calm that had prevailed in the state for several months amid ongoing ethnic tensions.
The victim was identified as Mayanglangbam Rishikanta, a native of Meitei-dominated Kakching district. He had been living in Kuki-majority Churachandpur with his wife, Chingnu Haokip. According to officials, armed cadres of the United Kuki National Army (UKNA) abducted the couple from the Tuibuong area and took them towards Natjang.
During the abduction, Rishikanta was shot dead despite reportedly pleading for his life. His wife was pushed out of the vehicle before the killing and survived. Police later recovered Rishikanta&rsquo;s body and registered a case to investigate the incident.
Officials said Haokip had earlier sought permission from the Kuki National Organisation (KNO), a militant umbrella group that has a ceasefire agreement with the government, to stay with her husband in Churachandpur. However, KNO has denied that any such permission was sought.
Sources said Rishikanta had been living in Nepal and returned to Manipur on December 19, after which he stayed discreetly in Churachandpur.
The killing comes days before the President&rsquo;s rule in Manipur is set to expire on February 12. The state has remained under central rule since February last year, after the dismissal of the elected government amid continuing ethnic violence.
Manipur has witnessed prolonged clashes between Meitei and Kuki communities since May 2023, resulting in more than 260 deaths and the displacement of nearly 60,000 people. While violence had reduced in recent months, armed groups continue to pose a serious challenge to peace efforts.
Security forces recently destroyed UKNA camps in the jungles of Churachandpur as part of anti-insurgency operations. Officials said the banned outfit has also been involved in attacks near areas where internally displaced persons are being resettled under a phased government rehabilitation programme.
Investigations into the killing are ongoing as security forces remain on high alert in the region.

Kuki militants abduct couple in Churachandpur; man shot dead, wife survives

Meitei Man Killed After Abduction in Manipur

Kuki militants abduct couple in Churachandpur; man shot dead, wife survives

January 22, 2026 | 14:51 IST