Imphal, Nov. 1 -- Three Kuki men were killed in a fresh exchange of gunfire between unidentified armed groups in Manipur's Noney district on Saturday, even as thousands of people, including members of Meitei and Naga organisations, held a rally in Imphal demanding the scrapping of the Suspension of Operations (SoO) agreement with Kuki-Zo armed groups and greater protection for local communities. The firing took place around 10am at Kekru Naga village, officials said. Sporadic gunfire between unidentified groups suspected to belong to the Naga and Kuki communities were reported in the area since October 29, said police, adding that Saturday's incident was the first in three days to result in deaths. Police said security forces have been deployed in the area. The three men have been identified as Thanglensang Singson, Thangkhosei Haokip and Lamminsang Kipgen, all from Churachandpur district, police said. Kuki Inpi Manipur (KIM), a Kuki apex body, accused the National Socialist Council of Nagaland-Isak Muivah (NSCN-IM) and the Zeliangrong United Front-Kamson (ZUF-K) of being responsible for the killings. It said the three men were village volunteers. "The murder of these three brave village volunteers in Noney district is the direct consequence of the state's reckless refusal to provide adequate security to vulnerable Kuki-Zo communities," the group said in a statement. Police said they recovered four automatic assault rifles, a single-barrel rifle, a drone, ammunition and improvised explosives from the site. Meanwhile, a massive rally, jointly organised by the Meitei and Naga communities, swept through Imphal on Saturday in what was arguably one of the largest public gatherings in Manipur since ethnic violence erupted in 2023. The conflict between Meitei and Kuki communities has claimed at least 306 lives so far, while clashes between Kuki and Naga groups killed around 50 people since February. Officials said the march began at Tiddim Ground and concluded at Thangmeiband Athletic Union (THAU) ground in Imphal West. No untoward incident was reported, said a senior officer....