• Source:JND
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A soldier of Assam Rifles on Wednesday opened fire at his colleagues before shooting himself dead near the Indo-Myanmar border in South Manipur, Police said. The incident took place within the AR battalion premises. The injured troops were taken to the military hospital and are reported to be stable.

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"One Assam Rifles Jawan opened fire on his colleagues injuring six of them (all injured are non-Manipuris); later the individual shot himself. All injured have been evacuated to Military Hospital for further treatment and reported to be stable," Manipur Police wrote on X (formerly Twitter).

The Police categorically said the incident was not associated with the ongoing conflict in the state. “In light of the ongoing ethnic strife in Manipur, it is important to share the details of the incident transparently to dispel any potential rumours and avoid any speculation. This unfortunate incident should not be correlated with ongoing conflict, given the fact that none of the injured are from Manipur. Investigation into the incident has been ordered to ascertain the facts,” the post reads. 

“All Assam Rifles battalions have mixed class composition including those belonging to various communities from Manipur. All personnel have been staying and operating together despite polarisation of society to maintain peace and stability in Manipur,” it added.  

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Manipur has been reeling under severe violence since May last year. Two communities– Meitei (which is in majority in Imphal Valley) and Kuki-Zo (who are dominant in a few hill districts) are at loggerheads over the issue of reservation. 

The violence has claimed over 207 lives and displaced around 50,000 people.