Nine people died while 10 were injured in the latest incidents of violence in Manipur. The incidents of violence took place in Khamenlok area of Imphal East. Imphal East SP has confirmed the incident. He said that at present the postmortem of the dead is being done.
According to information, suspected militants attacked a village in the violence-hit Khamenlok area. At least nine people were killed and 10 others were injured in the attack. According to police, militants armed with sophisticated weapons carried out the attack at around 1 am in Khamenlok area, bordering Imphal East district and Kangpoki district. The injured have been admitted to Imphal hospital. The area shares borders with the Meitei-dominated Imphal East district and the tribal-dominated Kangpokpi district.
9 people were injured in Monday’s firing
Nine people were injured in the cross fire between militants and rural volunteers in Khamenlok area of Imphal East district on Monday. Police said security forces had an encounter with Kuki militants at Phougakchao Ikhai in Bishnupur district on Tuesday. The Kuki militants were trying to set up bunkers near Meitei areas when security forces tried to stop them, leading to cross fire between the two sides.
Curfew relaxation time reduced
Meanwhile, the district administration in Imphal East and Imphal West has reduced the curfew relaxation time from 5 am to 6 pm from 5 am to 9 am. At least 100 people have died and 310 others have been injured in the ethnic violence that broke out in Manipur about a month ago. Army and paramilitary personnel have been deployed to restore peace in the state. Curfew remained in force in 11 of the 16 districts of violence-hit Manipur, while internet services remained suspended in the entire northeastern state.
Significantly, the clashes took place after the ‘Tribal Solidarity March’ was organized in the hill districts on May 3 to protest against the Meitei community’s demand for Scheduled Tribe (ST) status in Manipur. The Meiteis constitute 53 percent of Manipur’s population and live mainly in the Imphal Valley. Tribals- Nagas and Kukis constitute 40 per cent of the population and live in the hilly districts.