Manipur Violence: Senapati Firing Toll Rises to 3 as Injured Man Succumbs

The death toll from a militant firing in Manipur's Senapati district has risen to three after one of the injured victims died in hospital, officials said on [date]. The attack occurred in Senapati, a district in the northeastern Indian state of Manipur, barely an hour before the United Naga Council (UNC) announced its decision to suspend a four-month-old economic blockade along national highways in the state.

The blockade, imposed by the UNC over demands related to the creation of new districts, had severely disrupted the supply of essential goods and fuel across Manipur. The timing of the killings—just before the UNC's announcement—has raised questions about whether the violence was intended to derail the peace process. No group has immediately claimed responsibility for the firing, and police have launched an investigation. "We are verifying all angles, including the possibility of a link between the attack and the blockade suspension," a senior police official said, speaking on condition of anonymity.

The suspension of the blockade is expected to bring some relief to the landlocked state, which relies heavily on highways for supplies. However, the fresh violence underscores the fragile security situation in Manipur, where ethnic tensions and militant activities have persisted for decades. The state government has appealed for calm, and additional security forces have been deployed to Senapati. The UNC has said it will monitor the situation before deciding on further action, while local civil society groups have urged all parties to refrain from violence and engage in dialogue.