Gunfight in Manipur Claims Life of Village Volunteer

Manipur Violence: A tragic incident unfolded in Manipur’s Kangpokpi district, where an unidentified group engaged in a gunfight with local volunteers, resulting in the death of one village volunteer. This incident comes just five days after a deadly ambush near Haraothel village in the same district claimed two lives.

The confrontation occurred at around 2:30 AM when a group of armed men launched an attack on Joupi village, leading to a fierce gunfight with the local volunteers who were guarding the hill village. Sadly, a village volunteer named Khupminthang lost his life during the exchange of fire, as confirmed by an officer quoted by the news agency PTI.

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The news of this unfortunate incident has left the village and neighboring areas in Bishnupur and Kangpokpi districts in a state of tension. Fear of further retaliation and counterattacks on communities in the adjacent Imphal Valley has gripped the residents.

To mitigate the situation and ensure safety, additional security forces have been deployed in the village. Ongoing operations are being conducted to apprehend the attackers and restore peace in the region, according to the official statement.

Regrettably, this incident follows a similar gunfight on November 21, where two individuals, including an Indian Reserve Battalion (IRB) personnel, lost their lives in a clash between two rival groups in Kangpokpi district. The altercation occurred between Haraothel and Kobsha villages, as reported by the police.

The state of Manipur has been engulfed in interethnic conflict since May 3, when members of the Kuki community held a “Solidarity March” to express their disapproval of the Meitei community’s classification as Scheduled Tribes (STs). These violent clashes have resulted in the loss of over 180 lives, causing immense distress in the northeastern state.

The Meiteis, constituting over 53 per cent of Manipur’s population, primarily reside in the Imphal Valley, while the Nagas and Kukis, two tribal groups accounting for a little over 40 per cent of the population, inhabit the hilly regions.

(With Inputs From Agency)