Manipur teen shot dead while out to buy essentials amid Naga-Kuki clashes

A 17-year-old boy was shot dead by suspected militants in Manipur's Tamenglong district on Monday, police said. The victim, a Naga youth, was attacked at around 10.30 am while he was walking alone from Upper Nkou village to Tamei town.

According to police, Naga village volunteers later found his body on a narrow path, reported PTI. The killing came amid continuing clashes between the Naga and Kuki communities in the state.

Officials said more than 40 people have been killed since the clashes between the two communities began in February. Kangpokpi, Tamenglong, Noney, Ukhrul and Kamjong have remained the worst-affected districts in the violence between the two tribes.

The latest incident in Tamenglong district has added to the toll in the conflict, with officials saying the clashes have continued to affect several districts in Manipur since February.

"I unequivocally condemn the cowardly and heinous acts of terrorism that target innocent civilians and threaten peace and security. Such barbaric violence has no justification and no place in a civilised society," former Meghalaya minister Awangbow Newmai said.

Newmai went on to say that the boy was targeted while he was going to Tamei to buy essential commodities for his family.