One particular person was killed and three have been injured after a gunfight broke out within the early hours of Sunday on the border space between Meitei-dominated Imphal West district and Kuki-Zo-dominated Kangpokpi.
Sources stated the gunfight began at round 2.30 am, with armed volunteers from Koutruk village in Imphal West exchanging hearth with their counterparts within the adjoining hills of the Kangpokpi district.
It was alleged that Koutruk village was additionally hit with domestically made mortar shells, often called ‘pumpi’, inflicting panic amongst residents.
Koutruk is among the worst-affected areas in Manipur since violence broke out within the state on Might 3, with frequent stories of firing between village volunteers of the 2 warring communities.
In Sunday’s gunfight, a Kuki-Zo man from L Molsang village beneath Saitu-Gamphajol sub-division of Kangpokpi was killed. He was recognized as 44-year-old Lammang Kipgen.
Denouncing his killing, the Committee on Tribal Unity (COTU), Sadar Hills, introduced the imposition of a 12-hour shutdown on Sunday – from midday to midnight in Kangpokpi district.
COTU alleged that Lammang Kipgen was killed in an unprovoked assault. The tribal physique introduced that he could be buried on the martyrs’ cemetery in Phaijang.
The newest gunfight comes a day after two CRPF personnel have been killed and two others have been injured in Bishnupur district following a blast on the paramilitary drive’s outpost — one of the crucial brazen assaults on safety forces in the course of the ongoing ethnic battle in Manipur.
It additionally comes 4 days after three medium depth blasts broken a bridge in Kangpokpi district on Nationwide Freeway 2 and impaired the motion of visitors on this significant roadway. No group has claimed duty for the blasts.
Polling for the second and last seat in Manipur concluded on Friday. Part 1 of polling within the state, on April 19, was additionally marred by violence — from allegations of gunfire exterior polling cubicles to EVMs being broken to election officers being intimidated in elements of the Inside Manipur constituency.