Nei Esther Gangte died at a hospital in Manipur on September 20, seven days after she sustained multiple gunshot injuries in the Longpi ambush in Noney district. Her death has raised the toll from the September 13 attack to three.
The 21-year-old was undergoing treatment at the District Hospital in Churachandpur. Officials said she succumbed to her injuries after battling critical wounds for a week.
Nei Esther Gangte was injured in Longpi attack
The attack took place on September 13 at Longpi village under Nungba police station in Noney district. According to reports, three villagers were travelling to buy rice when armed attackers ambushed them.
Two people, identified as Thangvel Gangte and Julie Singson, died at the scene, according to community organisations. Singson was reportedly around two months pregnant. Nei Esther Gangte survived the attack but suffered multiple gunshot wounds.
Police and official accounts have described the attackers as unidentified armed men. However, several Kuki-Zo organisations have alleged that cadres linked to NSCN-IM and ZUF-K were involved. Those allegations have not been established as fact.
Nei Esther Gangte faced critical injuries
Following the shooting, villagers reportedly carried Nei Esther Gangte for nearly 20 kilometres on a makeshift palanquin before she could reach medical care. She was later shifted to Churachandpur for specialised treatment.
Doctors continued treating her for a week. However, her condition remained critical because of the severity of her injuries. She eventually died on Sunday, September 20, officials said.
Her death has brought renewed attention to the security situation in parts of Noney and neighbouring areas. The region remains affected by continuing tensions and sporadic violence linked to Manipur’s wider conflict.
Calls for action after Nei Esther Gangte death
The death of Nei Esther Gangte has prompted fresh demands for accountability from community organisations. The Kuki Human Rights Council condemned her death and called for the immediate arrest of those responsible for the attack.
The Kuki Inpi Jiribam, Tamenglong and Noney also expressed grief and urged authorities to apprehend and prosecute those behind the violence. The organisation called for justice for the victims and their families.
Meanwhile, the KSO Churachandpur mourned Nei Esther Gangte and described the September 13 incident as the Longpi “massacre”. Such descriptions reflect the position of the organisation and are not an independent finding about the incident.
Manipur attack raises civilian security concerns
The Longpi attack came amid fresh violence in parts of Manipur. Reports from the period also recorded separate attacks in Noney and Tamenglong districts, highlighting continued security concerns in vulnerable areas.
For residents of remote villages, access to emergency medical care remains an important concern. The reported 20-kilometre journey to move the critically injured Nei Esther Gangte illustrates the difficulties faced after violence occurs in areas with limited immediate medical access.
At the same time, authorities face demands to identify those responsible for the Longpi attack and prevent further violence. The investigation and any subsequent arrests will be important in establishing the circumstances surrounding the incident.
Longpi toll rises to three
With Nei Esther Gangte now dead, three people have died from the September 13 Longpi attack. Thangvel Gangte and Julie Singson were killed during the ambush, while Gangte died seven days later from her injuries.
The latest death has deepened concerns over civilian safety in conflict-affected parts of Manipur. It has also renewed calls from community groups for accountability and stronger protection for vulnerable villages.
Authorities have yet to publicly establish the identities of the attackers cited in official accounts. Further investigation will determine responsibility for the attack and clarify the circumstances surrounding the deaths.
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