In a wave of ethnic violence in Manipur,
five Meiteis lost their lives, and four Border Security Force or BSF personnel
sustained injuries. The occurrences were reported from Ningthoukhong Kha
Khunou, where four Meiteis – a man and his 60-year-old father, Oinam Manitomba
(37) and Thiyam Somen (56) – were tending to a farm ahead of the attack.
A separate gunfight in Kangchup claimed
the life of a 23-year-old Meitei, Takhelambam Manoranjan. Police recovered all bodies
and sent them to Regional Institute of Medical Sciences Imphal. The killings prompted
women in Imphal to rally against the violence, informed Bishnupur
superintendent of police Meghachandra Singh.
Meanwhile, Manipur’s Security Advisor Kuldiep
Singh expressed serious concerns over the active role of Kuki militants, citing
incidents in Bishnupur and Moreh.
He revealed a recent attack by Kuki
militants in Bishnupur, injuring three workers near Naga village. In Moreh,
Kuki militants targeted commando posts, resulting in casualties, including the
death of Commando Wangkhem Somorjit Meetei and 10 IRB personnel, on January 17.
Singh outlined coordinated efforts by
security forces, deploying additional personnel, including two BSF companies,
army columns, and helicopters for aerial support. IG Kabir was dispatched to
supervise operations, establish a joint command center, and conduct
comprehensive domination of affected areas.
In response to miscreant attempts to
storm the third IRB in Khangabok, exchanges of fire occurred with BSF jawans.
Similar incidents in Sagolband involved Kuki militants firing at civilians.
Singh assured ongoing combing operations to address heightened activities
around the hills and Moreh.
The Manipur Government, committed to
ensuring civilian and personnel safety, anticipates bringing the situation
under control in the next few days. The developments underscore the urgency to
address the complex dynamics of ethnic violence and insurgent activities in the
region.
