Gunfights in Manipur between armed groups continue; 2 killed, 4 injured

Imphal: Fresh gun battle between Meetei/Meitei and Kuki-Zo armed groups continued in Manipur on Tuesday, claiming two lives and leaving four others injured in the fringes of Imphal East and Kangpokpi district.

According to reliable sources, one person in the Meitei armed group who sustained critical bullet injuries on the left abdomen and right armpit during an attack by rival Kuki armed group at Pukhao Shantipur in Imphal East, close to the border with Kuki-dominated Kangpokpi district, was brought to Raj Medicity for emergency treatment. However, he was declared dead upon reaching hospital in Imphal.

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The deceased has been identified as Sagolsem Loya (25), son of Ranjit of Pukhao Shantipur in Imphal East district.

The other three persons, two being hit by bullet shots and another injured while fleeing from attackers, are now undergoing treatment at a private hospital in Imphal.

They are namely Moirangthem Naocha Meitei (22), son of M Ibomcha of Heirok Part I who suffered bullet injury at left ankle, Laishram Ihuntappa (26), son of L Purnima of Langthabal Kunja (sustained injury at the shoulder) and Sinam Shyam (31) of Achanbigei Makha Leikai, Imphal East.

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The latest bout of attacks and counter attacks comes just a day after two from the valley got injured in a fierce gunfight between the Kuki and Meitei/Meetei armed groups in the same district, alleged by Committee on Tribal Unity (CoTU) as the banned UNLF outfit and Arambai Tenggol militia.

On the other hand, one person from the Kuki-Zo community from Kangpokpi district has been reportedly killed and another injured in a separate attacks launched by Meitei armed groups at Saibol village. The deceased has been identified as Demkhogin Khongsai, (39), son of Lhunkam Khongsai of J Gamngai Veng under Saikul area in Kangpokpi district.

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