On Monday, a tragic incident occurred in two villages located in Manipur’s Imphal West and Kangpokpi districts, resulting in the loss of one civilian’s life and injuring two others. The clash was marked by intense violence, with indiscriminate firing from the villages of Phayeng and Singda in the Kangchuk area along the two districts.
Although there was a brief pause in the hostilities between 3 am and 6 am, the sounds of gunfire resumed afterward. Initially, officials had mistakenly reported that a policeman had lost his life during the violence. However, it was later clarified that the victim was actually a civilian who had been carrying a .303 rifle, which was believed to have been stolen from the police armoury.
The incident created a tense atmosphere in Imphal city, prompting the deployment of paramilitary forces in the affected area. As a result, shops and other business establishments remained closed. The area between the two villages is managed by Assam Rifles, and there are concerns that there may be further casualties on both sides. The full extent of the situation can only be determined once the firing ceases.
Since May 3, when a ‘Tribal Solidarity March’ was organized in the hill districts to protest against the Meitei community’s demand for Scheduled Tribe (ST) status, ethnic violence has erupted in the state, leading to the deaths of at least 150 people and injuring several hundred more. The Meiteis, who comprise approximately 53 percent of Manipur’s population and predominantly reside in the Imphal Valley, are joined by the Tribal Nagas and Kukis, who make up around 40 percent of the population and inhabit the hill districts.