Eleven killed in clashes in Manipur border town

Imphal, Jun 10: At least 11 people belonging to two differentcommunities were killed in clashes at Moreh, Chandel district duringthe past 24 hours.

Two houses were also burnt by mobs during the violence.

Police said clashes started since Saturday morning and intense fighting between two different groups were still continuing.

Director General of Police Y Joykumar and other senior civil andpolice officials were now camping in the border town about 110 km fromImphal.

Officials said prohibitory orders under Cr PC 144 has been clampedin the town to avoid recurrence of violence and additional forces havebeen rushed in so that untoward incidents could be avoided.

A red alert has been sounded in the border town. Officials furthersaid the town is a multi ethnic town as the Indo-Myanmar border tradetakes places in this town. Since May last, border trade had beenaffected due to clashes between different militant groups in the area.

Tension has been brewing in the area as killings continued, awoman was killed on May 31 last, another youth on June 3 last and onJune 6 all the communities had signed an agreement to live peacefullyharmoniously.

The dust had settled when four bodies were found yesterday police said.

Later police heard lots of firing and they got information thatsix more people were killed in the day long violence. Police said theywere not able to go in to help and retrieve the dead bodies yesterdayas heavy gun battles were going on and irate people burnt down severalhouses and attacked the Moreh Police station.

Police today said six persons were not yet identified. Due tocommunication failure in the border town there was possibility ofrumours being spread, officials said. Hence people were appealed toremain calm and avoid violence.

UNI