Ukhrul: A critically injured victim from Wednesday’s deadly confrontation between Hunphun and Hungpung villages over a long-standing land dispute in Ukhrul district succumbed to his injuries this morning at Jawaharlal Nehru Institute of Medical Sciences (JNIMS) hospital in Imphal. The deceased, identified as YR Pamreiyo from Hungpung village, leaves behind his wife and three children.
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This brings the death toll from the violent clashes to four, following Wednesday’s confrontation, which saw over 30 individuals injured. Among the victims on Wednesday clash were, Reileiwung Hongray and Silas Zingkhai from Hunphun village, along with Worrinmi Thumra, a 6th Manipur Rifles personnel from Lunghar village, who was on duty nearby.
Four of the most critically injured, including YR Pamreiyo, were referred to JNIMS for advanced medical care. One of the casualties, a Manipur Rifles personnel, succumbed to a bullet wound to the neck on Wednesday.
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During the height of the clash, an irate mob stormed the Ukhrul Police Station in Tangrei (Police Bazaar) and looted with 25 firearms and ammunition, including two carbines, a Sten gun, six Insas rifles, eight 9mm pistols, an SLR rifle, and three AK-47s, according to reliable sources.
The epicenter of the clash was Viewland Bazaar near Punjab National Bank, in an area historically known as Thing Ra̱sa̱, which is at the heart of the land boundary dispute. It is worth noting that the Ukhrul Police Station, from where the weapons were looted, is over three kilometers away and falls under the jurisdiction of Hunphun village.
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In response to the escalating situation, internet services in Ukhrul Headquarters was snapped at 1:20 PM Wednesday until further notice, as ordered by the authorities. Internet services in Ukhrul headquarters remains snapped during the filing of this report.
Manipur’s Inspector General of Police (Operations), IK Muivah, arrived in Ukhrul on Wednesday evening to assess the volatile situation.
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