Manipur Violence: Fresh gunfights between armed groups leave 2 injured; CoTU warns

Imphal: Intermittent gunfights between armed rival groups has been reported in border areas in Imphal East and Kangpokpi in violence strife Manipur since Sunday evening.

On Monday evening, armed groups attacked at Phukhao Santipur, a Meitei village in Imphal East, injuring two village volunteers. The two injured persons identified as Paikhomba and Ibomacha of Uyumpok village were later evacuated to hospitals in Imphal for treatment and both of them are said to be out of danger.

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Similar attacks were also reported at Satang area under Saikul sub-division in Kangpokpi district which started in the wee hours and lasted till dusk on Monday. However, there was no report of injury or casualty from the gun attacks till the time of filing this report.

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On the other hand, Kaiminlen Sitlou, spokesperson of the Committee on Tribal Unity (CoTU) alleged that cadres of banned outfit UNLF and Arambai Tenggol defiled the buffer zone and attacked Satang area of Kangpokpi district on Monday.

CoTU further alleged that the attackers also sabotaged the power lines, which resulted in a complete blackout in the Saikul sub-division of Kangpokpi district and stated that “such a senseless act is unwarranted and a war crime.”

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Strongly condemning the despicable act, the Kuki Committee in Kangpokpi warned of serious repercussions if electricity is not restored within 24 hours, stating it will not be held responsible post the deadline.

It may be noted that police recovered bodies of two missing persons, one on Saturday and another on Sunday.

Police recovered the bullet riddled body of Ningthoujam Manisana (35) from the hill range in Imphal East on Sunday, while the body of another volunteer, N Oken (26) was recovered from a utility vehicle parked at JNIMS hospital compound. The volunteers went missing during the gunfights between armed groups at Itham Moirangpurel in Imphal East last week.

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