• 40 Insurgents shot dead in Manipur, informs Chief Minister; encounters still on

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    40 Insurgents shot dead in Manipur, informs Chief Minister; encounters still on

    "The terrorists have been shooting at unarmed civilians," Mr. Singh said, adding that the battle is between armed terrorists attempting to destabilize Manipur and the state government, which is aided by the central government.

    Digital Desk: color:#2E2E2E">According to media reports, Manipur Police commandos have been
    engaged rebels for more than eight hours today in numerous parts of the state
    affected by ethnic conflict.



    color:#2E2E2E">Today, Chief Minister N Biren Singh told reporters that "40
    terrorists" had been shot dead.



    "Terrorists have
    used M-16 and AK-47 assault rifles, as well as sniper rifles, against
    civilians." They came to many communities and set fire to people's homes.
    We have begun taking aggressive action against them with the assistance of the
    army and other security forces. "We have received reports that 40
    terrorists have been killed," Mr Singh told reporters today.



    color:#2E2E2E">"The terrorists have been shooting at unarmed
    civilians," Mr. Singh said, adding that the battle is between armed
    terrorists attempting to destabilize Manipur and the state government, which is
    aided by the central government.



    color:#2E2E2E">At 2 a.m. today, rebels launched five simultaneous attacks in
    and around Imphal valley, according to sources.



    color:#2E2E2E">Sekmai, Sugnu, Kumbi, Phayeng, and Serou are the areas. There
    have been tales of further gunfights and unclaimed dead on the streets.



    color:#2E2E2E">The gunfight in Sekmai has ended, according to sources who
    declined to elaborate.



    Doctors at the Regional
    Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS) in the state capital Imphal told NDTV via
    phone today that ten persons were injured in the gunfight in Phayeng.



    color:#2E2E2E">Khumanthem Kennedy, 27, a farmer, was murdered after being hit
    by numerous bullets in Bishenpur's Chandonpokpi; his body is being transported
    to RIMS, according to reports, who added that additional casualties are
    expected. Kennedy's wife and young son survive him.



    The Chief Minister
    stated that the recent surge in violent attacks on residents on the outskirts
    of Imphal valley was well-planned and is strongly condemned, especially given
    that Minister of State Nityanand Rai is in Manipur on a peace mission.



    color:#2E2E2E">Over 25 Kuki insurgent factions have signed a three-way
    "suspension of operations" (SoO) agreement with the central and state
    governments. According to the SoO guidelines, insurgents are to be held in
    government-designated camps, with weapons kept behind locked doors and
    continuously monitored. Tomorrow, Home Minister Amit Shah is slated to visit
    Manipur. He has urged both the Meiteis and the Kukis to remain calm and
    peaceful while working to restore normalcy.



    color:#2E2E2E">Army Chief General Manoj Pande also paid a two-day visit to the
    state yesterday to assess the security situation.



    The ongoing ethnic
    violence between the Meiteis, who dwell in and around Imphal valley, and the
    Kuki tribe, who live in the hills, over the Meiteis' demand to be classified as
    a Scheduled Tribe (ST), has cost more than 70 lives since the clashes began on
    May 3.
    Manipur
    has been without internet for over 25 days.