- By Kamal Kumar
- Wed, 31 Jan 2024 07:12 AM (IST)
- Source:JND
Manipur Violence: Two people lost their lives while five others got injured in a violent clash between two rival groups in Manipur on Tuesday. According to police sources, a firefight erupted in Koutruk village in Imphal West district, and the death toll is expected to increase. Additionally, there is reported to be at least one person missing.
The firing erupted after a few miscreants opened fire on a village camp while it was being protected by the village volunteers. The incident took place at the border of Imphal West and Kangpokpi districts of the state. According to a report by NDTV, a senior BJYM leader, Manoharmayum Barish Sharma, also sustained bullet injuries. He has been rushed to the Regional Institute of Medical Sciences in Imphal.
"After the unknown gunmen launched the attack, the village volunteers retaliated, resulting in a gunfight in which one village volunteer was killed and another was injured. Following the retaliation, the attackers retreated, regrouped and attacked again. The gunfight is underway," a police officer said.
After the eruption of the gun battle, several women, children and elderly from Kadangband and neighbouring Koutruk village fled to safer areas, he said.
Additional security personnel have been sent to the area to bring the situation under control, the officer said.
Koutruk and Kadangband villages have been severely hit by the ongoing ethnic violence, and have witnessed several gun battles between armed groups of the two warring communities. Manipur has been witnessing ethnic strife between Imphal Valley-based Meiteis and adjoining hills-based Kukis since May last year, resulting in the deaths of over 180 people.