The individual, who was reportedly asleep at the time, was shot dead by the assailants...
Digital Desk: Violence erupted once again in Manipur's Jiribam district, resulting in the deaths of five individuals on Saturday, according to police officials. The disturbance marks a grim resurgence of ethnic conflict that has plagued the region since May 2023.
The violence began with a shocking attack in which militants targeted a lone resident of an isolated house, located approximately five kilometers from the district headquarters. The individual, who was reportedly asleep at the time, was shot dead by the assailants. This tragic incident set off a chain reaction of further violence.
Subsequently, a fierce exchange of gunfire erupted between armed groups in the hills about seven kilometers from the district headquarters. This clash resulted in the deaths of four armed persons, including three militants affiliated with local hill-based groups. The ongoing unrest underscores the fragile security situation in the region, as reported by PTI.
This resurgence of violence comes after a brief lull following intense clashes that began in May 2023. The district had experienced a temporary pause in hostilities, but tensions have flared once again. Earlier this week, the situation worsened with arsonists setting fire to an abandoned house belonging to a retired police officer in Jakuradhor, Borobekra police station area.
Despite recent efforts to broker peace, including an agreement between the Meitei and Hmar communities, violence persists. The agreement, reached on August 1, 2024, at a CRPF facility in Assam’s Cachar district, aimed to restore normalcy and prevent further incidents of arson and gunfire. The meeting, facilitated by the Jiribam district administration and attended by Assam Rifles, CRPF personnel, and various local tribal groups, had hoped to address the crisis.
However, the agreement has faced criticism from some Hmar tribal factions outside Jiribam, who claim they were excluded from the negotiations. This discontent highlights the complexities of the ethnic strife, which has already led to over 200 deaths and displaced thousands since the conflict began.
The violence in Jiribam has forced many residents to seek refuge in relief camps, and the ongoing turmoil reflects the deep-seated divisions within the region. The killing of a CRPF jawan during a mid-July ambush further exacerbates the dire situation, signaling that achieving lasting peace remains a distant goal.
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