Guwahati/Imphal
Unabated violence continues to leave an indelible scar on Manipur. In the latest flare-up, three tribals belonging to the Kuki-Zo community were shot dead on Tuesday allegedly by banned militant groups in Kangpopki district of the State.
Sources said the assailants came in a vehicle and attacked locals of a village between the Ireng and Karam areas located in the bordering areas of Imphal West and Kangpopki districts. The village is located in the hills and is dominated by the tribal people, they maintained and expressed the apprehension of a retaliatory action by the Kukis that could lead to more bloodshed.
The killings come close on the heels of the violence that rocked Pallel as two groups engaged in a fierce gun battle and armed miscreants targeted the security forces by firing at them when they sought to bring the situation under control.
As many as three persons succumbed to their bullet injuries even as over 80 persons, including an Army major, was injured.
In a separate incident earlier, hundreds of protesters tried to break down Army barricades at Phougakchao Ikhai separating two Kuki and Meitei dominated districts to reach Torbung from where they were displaced.
The protesters had gathered on the call of the influential umbrella body of Meitei groups, Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI).
Violence has been continuing in Manipur despite heavy deployment of security forces. As many as eight persons were killed and 18 injured, including two security personnel, in continuous gun battle between Kukis and Meiteis during a period of one week since August 29.
