9 injured as gunfight continues in Khamenlok violence-hit Manipur

Imphal: Nine more people were injured in a gunfight in Khamenlok area of ​​violence-hit Manipur’s Imphal East district as gunfire between militants and village volunteers continued late on Monday night, police said.

Three casualties were initially reported, but the toll rose as gunfire continued before both sides retreated, a police officer said.
He said that the village volunteers also burnt some temporary bunkers and a watch tower built by the militants.

The area lies along the borders of the Meitei-dominated Imphal East district and the tribal-dominated Kangpokpi district.
Officials of medical institutions said that the injured have been admitted to local hospitals where the condition of one injured is said to be critical while the condition of others is out of danger.

A large number of security forces have been deployed in the area to prevent further spread of the violence and exercise control over the area.
Heavy firing broke out in the area on Monday between village volunteers and militants. Before this, no major incident was reported in the area for three days.
In another incident, a militant was killed and two others injured in a gunfight with security forces in Govindpur village of Bishnupur district, he said.

The militants were trying to build bunkers around the villages when security forces challenged them, leading to a gun battle, the officer said.
A month ago, at least 100 people lost their lives and 310 others were injured in ethnic violence between Meitei and Kuki communities in Manipur. Army and paramilitary forces were deployed to restore peace in the state.

Curfew remains in force in 11 of Manipur’s 16 districts, while internet services remain suspended across the northeastern state.
Clashes first erupted on May 3 when a ‘Tribal Solidarity March’ was organized by the Meitei community in the hill districts to protest against their demand for Scheduled Tribe (ST) status.
Meiteis constitute about 53% of Manipur’s population and live mostly in the Imphal Valley.

Tribal Nagas and Kukis constitute another 40 percent of the population and live in the hilly districts.