5th. August, 2023.
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In the strife-torn state of Manipur, six people, including a father-son duo, were killed in the last 24 hours. The Bishnupur-Churachandpur border areas witnessed day-long attacks, leaving around 16 people injured. To address the escalating violence, the Army has launched a major combing operation, resulting in the arrest of at least one insurgent who sustained bullet injuries.
Given the deteriorating law and order situation, authorities have reimposed a strict curfew in the capital city of Imphal. The unrest in Manipur has reached a critical point, with Saturday marking one of the deadliest days in the past two weeks. Mortar and grenade attacks were reported in various locations along the Bishnupur-Churachandpur border, resulting in a heavy exchange of gunfire from both sides.
Yesterday, in a pre-dawn attack on a village in the Kwakta area of Bishnupur district, three unarmed villagers, including the father-son duo, lost their lives. These victims, who had previously sought refuge in relief camps, had returned to their village to protect it after the villagers fled to camps following the initial outbreak of violence on May 3. Security force sources revealed that before being shot at close range, two of the men were also subjected to sharp weapon attacks.
The retaliatory attacks were swift, with armed men firing, and using mortar shells and grenades in the neighboring villages of Phoujang and Songdo in Churachandpur district, resulting in two fatalities and several injuries. In a separate attack in Terakhongsangbi, Bishnupur district, one person was killed, while three others, including a police commando, sustained gunshot wounds.
Further shooting incidents by unidentified individuals were reported in Sanasabi and Thamnapokpi villages in Imphal East district, although no casualties were reported. Unidentified mobs also set fire to houses in Langgol, Imphal West district.
Widespread protests condemning the killings took place in Imphal. Manipur BJP MLA Rajkumar Imo Singh, who is also the son-in-law of Chief Minister N Biren Singh, criticized the central security forces, alleging significant security lapses in the Bishnupur district attack. He called for action against the paramilitary personnel for their “negligence in duty.”
To restore order, joint forces conducted search operations in vulnerable areas of the state, destroying seven illegal bunkers following the outbreak of fresh violence across various districts, as announced by the Manipur Police on Friday.
The root of the ongoing violence in Manipur lies in the ethnic clashes between the Meitei and Kuki communities. The Meitei community has been demanding Scheduled Tribe (ST) status, which has sparked violence resulting in numerous casualties and displacements.
The situation in Manipur remains tense, and the authorities are working tirelessly to bring an end to the violence and restore peace to the region.