Six people were killed in a fresh wave of violence in Manipur’s Jiribam district early this morning, according to police reports. The renewed clashes have escalated tensions in the region, already marred by ethnic unrest between the Meitei and Kuki communities.
The attack occurred in Nungchappi village, located 229 km from the state capital, Imphal. Suspected Kuki insurgents launched an assault on the village, killing a 63-year-old man identified as Yurembam Kulendra Singha. This attack followed a deadly incident in Moirang town, where another elderly man from the Meitei community was killed by a rocket-propelled bomb attack while offering prayers. The violence in Moirang, a day earlier, was also attributed to Kuki insurgents, according to the police.
In addition to Singha, five others were killed during a gunfight between armed groups from the Meitei community and Kuki tribes. These groups, referring to themselves as “village defence volunteers,” have been involved in ongoing conflicts amid the region’s ethnic tensions. The violence highlights the increasing volatility in the district, with local defense groups clashing on multiple fronts.
To control the escalating situation, security forces have destroyed several bunkers in the conflict zones. Additionally, helicopters have been deployed for aerial surveillance, and security patrols have intensified to prevent further violence.
Manipur has been witnessing frequent clashes between the hill-dwelling Kuki tribes and the valley-dominant Meitei community, leading to a state of unrest in recent months. The state continues to grapple with rising tensions, with the authorities struggling to restore order.
Sources By Agencies
