Manipur Violence: A civilian and two armed men were killed and four others injured in separate incidents in Manipur's Bishnupur districts on Friday, officials said. Officials in Imphal said that armed assailants fired towards Phougakchao Ikhai, Awang Leikai, and Kwakta areas in the Bishnupur district, killing a civilian and injuring another.
In another incident, it was reported in Imphal that Pukham Ranbir, a 39-year-old Manipur Police commando from Bishnupur district, was killed when suspected militants attacked Kwakta Ward No 9 at Moirang Turel Mapan Meetei village, news agency IANS reported. The commando was reportedly fatally shot while stationed at a bunker in Kwakta. However, this information is yet to be officially confirmed.
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In response to the attacks in Bishnupur, police and paramilitary forces swiftly arrived at the scene and successfully repelled the assailants. During the confrontation, two armed attackers were neutralized, while three others were injured.
Late on Friday night, an official statement issued by the Manipur Police control room revealed that certain areas were experiencing tension due to sporadic incidents of firing and the gathering of unruly mobs over the past 24 hours. However, the situation remains relatively calm in most districts.
"The situation is tense in some places with sporadic incidents of firing and congregation of unruly mob during the last 24 hours. However, the situation is normal in most districts," said the statement.
Furthermore, a combined team of Manipur Police and Central security forces demolished 18 additional illegal bunkers set up by militants in Imphal East, Imphal West, Churachandpur, Bishnupur, and Kakching districts on Friday. This brings the total number of destroyed illegal bunkers to 50 within the past 24 hours.
Additionally, during this period, law enforcement authorities seized five sophisticated firearms, 74 pieces of various types of ammunition, and five hand grenades from the Imphal East district. To maintain law and order, a total of 126 checkpoints have been established across different districts of Manipur. As a result of these efforts, the police have detained 270 individuals for various violations of the law in different districts.
An exchange of fire was also reported in the Laikot area of YKPI with the situation being monitored by the security forces. A mob of nearly 200 people built up at Mahabali road and set two vehicles on fire near the historic Kangla Fort in Imphal, Manipur.
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According to sources, as quoted by news agency ANI, the mob also tried to snatch weapons from the police. "The police had to resort to firing to disperse the mob and bring the situation under control, although no casualties were reported in the incident," the sources said. Another mob of nearly 200 people had gathered at Palace Compound in Imphal West but Army and Rapid Action Force personnel were able to disperse by 12.30 am today.
(With Inputs From ANI, IANS)