9 Killed, several houses burnt as fresh violence erupts in Manipur

Mangalore Today News Network

Imphal, June 14, 2023: At least nine people lost their lives, while five others were injured in fresh violence reported from Manipur late on Tuesday.

According to the details, firing was reported from the Khamenlok area, along the borders of the Meitei-dominated Imphal East district and tribal-majority Kangpokpi district.

 

Those injured in the violence were shifted to a hospital for treatment.

Reports said miscreants also burned down several houses in Khamenlok village.

At around 1 am, militants armed with sophisticated weapons surrounded the villagers of the Khamelok area bordering Imphal east district and Kangpoki district and launched the attack, police told PTI.

Meanwhile, curfew relaxations in Imphal were reduced, now to be in effect from 5 am to 9 am.

MANIPUR VIOLENCE

Earlier on Monday, nine people were injured in a gunfight in the Khamenlok area in an exchange of fire between militants and village volunteers.

The security forces also exchanged fire with Kuki militants at Phougakchao Ikhai in the Bishnupur district on Tuesday, they said.

The Kuki militants were trying to make bunkers close to Meitei localities when they were challenged by security forces, resulting in the exchange of fire.

Meanwhile, the district authorities have cut short the curfew relaxation hours from the usual 5 am to 6 pm in Imphal East and Imphal West to 5 am to 9 am.

At least 100 people lost their lives and 310 others were injured in the ethnic violence between Meitei and Kuki communities in Manipur that broke out a month ago. Army and para-military personnel were deployed to restore peace in the state.

Clashes first broke out on May 3 after a ’Tribal Solidarity March’ was organised in the hill districts to protest against the Meitei community’s demand for Scheduled Tribe (ST) status.

Meiteis 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.

Courtesy: India Today