Fresh Bloodshed In Manipur: 6 Killed, Security Bunkers Destroyed, Choppers Deployed

Fresh violence erupted in Manipur's Jiribam district this morning, resulting in six deaths, as tensions between the Meitei and Kuki communities continue to escalate.

According to police, suspected Kuki insurgents launched an attack on Nungchappi village, located 229 km from Imphal, killing a 63-year-old man identified as Yurembam Kulendra Singha.

Photo Credit: PTI

This attack follows the killing of an elderly Meitei man who was offering prayers in Moirang town, allegedly by Kuki insurgents using a rocket-propelled bomb, reported NDTV.

In addition to Singha's death, five others were killed in a gunfight between armed groups representing the Meitei and Kuki communities.

These groups, referred to as "village defence volunteers," have been involved in several clashes amidst ongoing ethnic tensions.

The Jiribam Superintendent of Police, along with a police team, was dispatched to the area but was met with gunfire. The police "retaliated strongly and controlled the firing," according to their statement.

Jiribam had recently been the site of peace talks between Meitei and Hmar leaders, alongside security forces, aimed at fostering peace in the region.

However, Churachandpur-based Kuki groups expressed dissatisfaction with these talks, arguing that the participants did not represent their interests and were only following the directives of Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh.

The Hmar Inpui, a prominent Hmar organisation, declared it would not recognise the peace efforts, criticising the leaders involved as bowing to the "whims and fancies of a divisive and communal government under the leadership of Biren Singh."

In response to the escalating violence, security forces have implemented a multi-pronged approach, deploying an anti-drone system and conducting patrols with army helicopters.

This comes after suspected Kuki insurgents used weaponized drones in an attack on villages in Imphal West district, marking the first time such an attack has occurred on Indian soil.

The police stated that combing operations in both the hills and valley regions are ongoing, while teams monitor social media to identify those inciting violence.

Further complicating the situation, crowds attempted to loot weapons from the 2nd and 7th Manipur Rifles camps in Imphal on Friday evening. Security forces intervened, firing blank rounds and tear gas to prevent the looting.

Two policemen, inspector Kh Henery and constable Issac Gangmei, were injured during the confrontation and are currently in the hospital.

Protesters in the Imphal valley expressed their frustration over the government's response to the violence.

"People are being killed in their homes, despite the presence of over 50,000 central force personnel. A Meitei woman was shot by a sniper. An elderly man was killed in a rocket attack," said Imphal resident M Nirmala Devi, voicing the desperation felt by many in the community.