One Person Killed as Village Volunteers Attempt to Enter Manipur Police Training College

At least one person was killed as security personnel opened fire to disperse a large number of ‘village volunteers’ who allegedly attempted to barge into the Manipur Police Training College (MPTC) at Pangei in Imphal East district, according to a senior official. The incident occurred when the village volunteers tried to enter the premises, with suspicions that their motive was to loot firearms. The police facility houses a significant number of weapons.

The deceased individual has been identified as 24-year-old Okram Sanaton, who succumbed to his gunshot wounds while being taken to a state-run hospital in Imphal. The situation escalated on Tuesday night when a substantial gathering of local youths, predominantly village volunteers, assembled at the MPTC gates and managed to breach the premises, stated the official from PTI.

In an effort to disperse the mob, security personnel initially employed tear gas shells. However, they resorted to using live rounds to regain control of the situation. A forensic team has been dispatched to the location to conduct an investigation.

Tensions have been increasing in areas falling under the Khurai and Khundrakpam assembly constituencies since Tuesday afternoon. The escalation followed a fierce gunfight between armed groups belonging to the two warring communities at Pukhao Shantipur in Imphal East district and adjoining areas of Khamenlok hill range in Kangpokpi district.

The term ‘village volunteers’ refers to armed civilian youths responsible for safeguarding villages along the periphery of Imphal Valley and adjoining hills. Their role is to prevent attacks from rival communities. In this case, village volunteers had expressed on social media that they were running out of ammunition and required additional weapons to defend against the attackers, who were supposedly armed with sophisticated firearms.

Since May of last year, ethnic violence between valley-based Meiteis and hills-based Kukis has resulted in over 180 fatalities and rendered thousands homeless. The situation remains a cause for concern.

(You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel via this link)