At least seven persons were killed in gun violence between Meitei and Kuki groups in a remote area of Manipur’s Jiribam district on Saturday, an Army official told Scroll.
Four of those killed belonged to the Kuki community while the others were Meiteis.
The first death was reported after suspected Kuki militants entered the home of 63-year-old Yurembam Kulendra Singha and shot him dead in his sleep, according to a statement by the Manipur Police.
A Meitei civilian, Singha lived alone in Nungchapi about 5 kilometres from the Jiribam district headquarters.
The other six victims were killed in a subsequent exchange of fire between Meitei and Kuki groups in Rasidpur village about 7 kilometres away from the district headquarters.
“This morning, the town of Jiribam was struck by sudden violence as clashes erupted between two communities in the Nungchapi area,” an Assam Rifles official told Scroll.
The official added: “Despite the region being a non-AFSPA [Armed Forces Special Powers Act] zone, the local Assam Rifles Battalion acted swiftly, with the commanding officer personally walking several kilometres to reach the scene amidst local blockades. The Assam Rifles has launched a joint search operation, recovering three bodies believed to be from the Kuki community. The unit is actively working to minimise further casualties by...
