Manipur Violence: Five, Including cop, Dead In Fresh Clashes

At least five people, including a policeman, were killed after fresh violence erupted in several parts of Manipur, where ethnic clashes has claimed at least 80 lives in the last month.

This comes on a day when the Manipur government led by chief minister N Biren Singh said that at least 40 Kuki armed militants have been killed by security forces in the last four days during a counter-insurgency operation.

Earlier on Sunday, Singh claimed that nearly 40 armed militants involved in torching houses and firing at civilians have been killed by security forces since they began an operation to bring peace to the north-eastern state beset by ethnic rioting.

The latest clashes began after the army and para-military forces commenced combing operations to de-arm communities in order to bring peace.

The Chief Minister said that there had been cases of armed militants firing at civilians with AK-47s, M-16, and sniper rifles. These militants were targeted by security forces in counter-attacks.

The CM appealed to the public not to hinder the movement of security personnel and urged them to have "faith in the government and support the security forces."

He said many militants involved in killing civilians and destroying property and torching houses have been captured by the Jat regiment.

The insurgents have also vandalised the house of BJP MLA Khwairakpam Raghumani Singh at Uripok in Imphal West and his two vehicles have been set on fire

Reportedly, firing has been reported from Sugnu in Kakching, Kangvi in Churachandpur, Kangchup in Imphal West, Sagolmang in Imphal East, Nungoipokpi in Bishenpur, Khurkhul in Imphal West and YKPI in Kangpokpi," the official said. New roadblocks have also sprung up in areas manned by women.

Ethnic clashes were first reported on May 3 when tribal groups clashed with ethnic majority Meitei people - a non-tribal group, over economic benefits and quotas given to the tribes.

The dominant Meiteis, which account for about 53 per cent of Manipur's population and live mostly in the Imphal Valley. Tribals Nagas and Kukis constitute another 40 per cent of the population and reside in the hill districts.

Following the clashes, nearly 140 columns of the Indian Army and Assam Rifles, comprising over 10,000 personnel, besides those from other paramilitary forces have been rushed to bring back normalcy in the Northeastern state.