India, May 15 -- Tension heightened in Manipur on Thursday following the killing of four persons, including three church leaders, in two separate ambushes in Kangpokpi and Noney districts. Separate incidents of alleged abductions in Senapati and Kangpokpi districts that followed deepened mistrust between the two communities.

The conflict between the Tangkhul Naga and Kuki communities escalated last week, but the spark was lit over a drunken brawl among community youths in Litan Sareikhong village, Ukhrul district, on February 7. Since then, sporadic violent incidents, including gunfire, have been reported in Ukhrul and Kamjong districts between armed groups from the communities.

Manipur has 16 districts; five valley districts, including...