Manipur since May last year has been trapped in violence, even though incidents of riots have become sporadic, the northeastern state still continues to burn in an ethnic blaze that took away approximately 200 lives and left hundreds injured, displaced, homeless, traumatised. In a fresh bout of violence, a village volunteer was killed in a gunfight between the two warring communities in Manipur's Kangpokpi district, officials said.
The shootout broke out on Wednesday night after suspected militants launched an attack on Kangchup from the adjoining hill areas, prompting village volunteers in low-lying locality to retaliate, officials informed. This incident is one among the series of gunfights that broke out at several places in Imphal Valley and hill areas on Wednesday night.
Earlier, unidentified assailants fired at security forces in Manipur's Thoubal district leading to three Border Security Force (BSF) personnel sustaining bullet injuries, police officials said.
The armed cadres had mingled among an irate crowd that had gathered at the headquarters.Of the three BSF personnel, two were Assistant Sub-Inspectors (ASI) Sobram Singh and Ramji.The third was identified as constable Gourav Kumar.
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They were shifted to a private hospital in Imphal.A police official said that the mob targeted the 3rd Manipur Armed Battalion headquarters at Khangabok in Thoubal District.
"Security forces repelled them using the minimum necessary force. Further, the mob attempted to breach Thoubal Police headquarters, prompting the security forces to use force. Armed miscreants from among the mob fired with live rounds. As a result, three personnel from BSF sustained bullet injuries," the police said in a statement.
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Meanwhile, the Manipur police took to their official Twitter handle to inform about the death of two police commandos, identified as Somorjit Meetei and Takhellambam Sieleshwor Singh in Moreh area.
"Today (January 17, 2024) in the early morning, armed militants orchestrated a violent attack on the state forces, employing firearms and explosives in Moreh, Tengnoupal district. In the incident, one personnel of the 6th Manipur Rifles namely Wangkhem Somorjit Meetei S/O (L) W. Chaoton Singh of Malom Tulihal Mayai Leikai (R/No.- 0620211015) was martyred in the line of duty. Further, another Manipur Police personnel of the 10th IRB namely Takhellambam Sieleshwor Singh S/o. (L) T. Babu Singh of Akham Village, Imphal West District (Hav. No. 112005762) presently attached to Spl. CDO, was also martyred in the attack by the armed militants at Moreh," Manipur Police said.
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