Manipur: Ten injured one killed in fresh violence; CoTU says 5 of its members missing

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• Nov 8, 2023 | Dhupali Das

Manipur was once again plunged into chaos on Tuesday as fresh violence erupted in the wake of the mysterious disappearance of...

Digital Desk: Manipur was once again plunged into chaos on Tuesday as fresh violence erupted in the wake of the mysterious disappearance of two young boys from Akham Awang Leikai in Imphal West District. This disturbing incident has resulted in firings reported in various districts of the adjoining hill valley regions, leaving at least 10 people injured and one killed in Kangchup area, Imphal West District.

Intense firings and cross firings were reported at multiple locations across Manipur, including Phayeng, Kangchup area in Imphal West District, Maphou Dam in Imphal East District, and Irengbam in Bishnupur District. The violence escalated, with reports of casualties and damage to property.

At Kangchup Chingkhong area, at least 10 people, including a woman and two police personnel, were injured in the cross firings. Seven of the injured individuals were rushed to the Regional Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS) hospital, while two were taken to Raj Medicity in Imphal. Among them, a Meira Paibi woman from Kangchup Chingkhong, identified as Leichombam Ibemcha (39), and L Thangal Meitei (24), are reported to be in critical condition.

Also Read : Manipur: Ten injured one killed in fresh violence; CoTU says 5 of its members missing

Tragically, one male belonging to the Kuki-Zo tribe lost his life, and another individual was injured in the crossfire at Kangchup area. The deceased and the injured were taken to Kangpokpi District Hospital. Additionally, various police vehicles sustained damage from bullets during the firing incident, prompting the deployment of CRPF personnel and state forces in Kangchup foothills and its surrounding areas.

In another concerning incident, armed miscreants from Tingkai Khunou, a Kuki village located behind Irengbam, a Meitei village in Oinam Constituency of Bishnupur District, reportedly fired multiple rounds of bullets towards the Meitei village. Villagers reported that the armed group fired approximately 60 rounds of bullets towards them, prompting a retaliatory response from GR personnel deployed in the village. Fortunately, there have been no reports of injuries in the village.

Further instances of firings between armed groups were reported at Maphao dam area in Imphal East on Tuesday morning, raising concerns about the safety of residents and the potential for casualties.

In response to the escalating violence, state and central security forces have intensified their presence and surveillance in these troubled areas. Authorities are working to assess the extent of casualties and property damage caused by the recent confrontations.

Simultaneously, farmers in Thamnapokpi Village, located in Lamlai Constituency in Imphal East District, reported being threatened by an armed Kuki group. The farmers stated that the armed group positioned themselves at a distance of around 150 to 200 meters from their paddy fields and shouted at them to cease working and flee for their safety, adding to the growing atmosphere of fear and tension in the region.

As tensions continue to mount, a press note from the Committee on Tribal Unity has issued a 24-hour ultimatum, demanding that the concerned authorities locate the five missing members of a wedding party who had traveled from Kangchup Chingkhong. These individuals were reportedly waylaid by the Meitei Arambai Tenggol with the intention of returning them to their families. The press note from the Kuki-Zo organization has stated that they will not be held responsible for any untoward incidents arising from the situation if the authorities fail to comply.

The press briefing from the Committee on Tribal Unity also discredited the narrative that the two missing Arambai Tenggol youths, who had crossed the buffer zone on the 5th at Kanglatongbi, were supposedly kidnapped by the Village Volunteer Force. According to the organization, this was a concocted narrative aimed at tarnishing the image of the Kuki-Zo community, further complicating an already volatile situation in Manipur. Authorities are now facing the daunting task of diffusing the situation and finding a peaceful resolution to the ongoing tensions.