IMPHAL: Fresh violence erupted in Manipur on January 30, claiming the lives of two individuals and leaving three others injured.
The incident occurred in the Kadangband area and Koutruk Hills, adjacent to Imphal West and Kangpokpi District, where intense firing was reported during Tuesday afternoon.
The victims, all hailing from the Meitei community in the valley, have been identified as Meishnam Khaba Meitei (25) from Sagoltongba Mamang Leikai and Nongthombam Michel Singh (32) from Konung Leikai, Palace Compound, a local news portal reported.
Their bodies have been transported to the Regional Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS) morgue, adding to the toll of recent violence in the state.
Among the injured is Sanjit Ngangom (19) from Kadangband, who was swiftly taken to RIMS hospital by a Red Cross team in the afternoon. Fortunately, he is reported to be out of danger.
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The other two injured individuals were rushed to the hospital later in the evening, with one undergoing surgery for a bullet wound on his right foot, according to the portal.
Reportedly, sporadic firing continued between armed groups till late on Tuesday evening, further escalating tensions in the region.
Several individuals, including women and children in Kadangband and the adjacent Koutruk village, sought refuge in safer locations in the aftermath of the attack, a security official was quoted by the press.
Meanwhile, extra security personnel were swiftly deployed to the area to restore order and regain control of the situation.
This incident follows a similar outbreak of violence on January 27 when a village volunteer lost his life and three others were injured in a gunfight at Satang hill range, a Kuki village under Saikul sub-division in Kangpokpi district.
The deceased, identified as Tilminlun Khongsai (26) from NG Phainom Village, fell victim to the clash.
In a strong condemnation of the attack at Satang, the Coordination Committee on Tribal Unity (CoTU) alleged that the village volunteer was killed by the proscribed UNLF-MP and Meitei militia, the Arambai Tenggol, while defending the Satang area in the early hours of Saturday.
