Fresh violence in Manipur; Forces ambushed in Moreh, Youth killed in Imphal West

Heavy gun fight ensued between security forces and armed militants at the border town of Moreh in Manipur on Saturday injuring at least two police commandos. 

“It was an ambush”, claimed an officer adding that around 3.30 pm on Saturday afternoon militants ambushed Manipur police commandos at the a Key Location Point (KLP) near to camps between Yawol village and Sikkim Veng. There were several displaced people at the camps when the firing started, claimed an official.  

Police commandos and security forces retaliated. Firing from both sides lasted for hours. Later a village near to the KLP was set ablaze by the militants. The injured police personnel were rushed to the KLP camp for medical attention, they have sustained splinter injuries. 

“Several displaced people belonging to the Meitei community were received at the Moreh gate number 2 by Assam Rifles before the firing started”, claimed an officer on condition of anonymity. 

In a separate incident a village guard was shot dead at Kadangband in Manipur's Imphal West district around 3.30 am, in the wee hours of Saturday. The deceased youth has been identified as as Jamesbond Ningombam, was guarding the village in the “peripheral area” when he was shot dead by suspected militants, claimed police. 

Both the incidents come weeks after more than 60 bodies were handed over to the respective families, seven months since the violence broke out in Manipur on May 3, 2023. In the past 242 days since the violence started more than 180 people have lost their lives, as per government data and more than 60,000 people have been displaced from the several areas including Imphal, Churachandpur, Kangpokpi and Moreh. 

After weeks of lull internet suspension has been withdrawn in the state. The state government of Manipur is yet to issue a statement on the fresh spate of violence.