2 Killed, 50 Injured In Manipur; Heavy Firing Between Armed Locals And Security Forces Reported

Imphal/Guwahati

At least two persons were killed and nearly 50 injured in two different firing incidents at Pallel in strife-torn Manipur’s Tengnoupal district on Friday as violence continues unabated in the northeastern State.

A fierce gun battle between armed miscreants and the security forces took place at Pallel in Kakching district after Assam Rifles’ personnel tried to control an ongoing gun battle between two groups. The firing reportedly broke out at around 6 am. Four civilians sustained bullet wounds, sources said.

One person, an armed village volunteer, died in the firing between two groups of unidentified men at Pallel that started around 6 am, the sources pointed out. Zhe other person who lost his life was a resident of Kakching district and identified as Yengkhom Jiten (43). He succumbed to bullet injuries.

As many as 49 people are reportedly injured, with some of them shifted to Jivan Hospital in Kakching while others rushed to Imphal.

The security forces including the Indian Army, Assam Rifles, Manipur police, and other Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) immediately cordoned off the area and tried to bring the situation under control.

And yet again, a scuffle took place when the locals, mostly Meira Paibis, tried to remove the barricade set up by security forces.

Update

7 Kuki-Zo camps to be relocated to tribal areas

The Union Home Ministry and Manipur’s Kuki-Zo insurgent groups have reached an understanding to relocate seven camps from near Meitei-dominated areas. The decision follows a second round of talks on Monday under the 2008 Suspension of Operations (SoO) agreement. “It has been agreed in principle that any relocated camps should be in tribal areas. The locations of the new camps in tribal areas will be discussed at a third meeting to be scheduled,” an official said. While Meiteis have opposed the pact blaming armed Kuki militants for involvement in the protracted strife, Kukis have accused Meitei groups, including Arambai Tenggol, of stoking the violence.