Imphal: The situation in the troubled, torn North-eastern State of Manipur is still tense, with scattered incidents of violence reported from different places. A gunfight between militants and security forces was reported from Manipur on the night of June 18 in Chingmang village in the West Imphal district. One Indian army personnel sustained bullet injury while several civilians are suspected to be injured in attacks by armed miscreants.
Reports said militants opened fire in the Chingmang village in the wee hours of June 19 and torched several houses. Army columns resorted to controlled retaliatory fire keeping in view the presence of villagers in the area. Gunfight continued for several hours between the Army and militants, where an Army personnel sustained a bullet injury. The casualty on the militant side is still unknown. The injured Army jawan was immediately evacuated and shifted to Military Hospital Leimakhong. His condition is currently reported to be stable. Additional forces rushed to the area immediately, and a joint search operation was on in search of the militants from the early morning of June 19.
Army spokesperson told the media that armed miscreants resorted to unprovoked firing from Kanto Sabal towards Chingmang village on 18/19 June. Army Columns resorted to controlled retaliatory fire keeping in view the presence of villagers in the area. One Army Soldier sustained Gunshot Wound, was evacuated to Military Hospital Leimakhong and is stable.
Additional columns have been inducted in the area, and joint operations are in progress. The Army further said that Enhanced Area Domination Operations by Army and Assam Rifles are being undertaken after the recent spurt in violence. Domination of fringe areas and higher reaches underway by long-duration self-contained columns.
Meanwhile, Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh called Mizoram counterpart Zoramthanga on June 18, asking him to take measures to ensure the security of the Meitei community in the neighbouring State. Mizoram has a sizable population of both Meiteis and Kukis. Over 10,000 Kuki community people displaced due to the violence in Manipur are currently taking shelter in Mizoram. Meiteis residing in Mizoram have nothing to fear as long as they are in the State, Zoramthanga told his Manipur counterpart, chief minister N Biren Singh, when the latter called him over the safety of Meiteis. Mizoram CM Zoramthanga stated in a press release.
Earlier on June 17 night, hundreds of women in several districts of Manipur took to the streets to condemn the ongoing violence in the State.
Meitei women organisations organised the torch rally and formed human chains on the streets in Imphal East, Imphal West, Thoubal and Kakching districts from 7 pm to 8 pm. The women demanded the restoration of peace and normalcy in the State immediately and required the Central government’s intervention to bring peace to the State.
Over 110 people have lost their lives, and over 350 people, including an MLA and several security personnel, were injured in the violence for over a month. 4,1014 arson cases were registered during the violence, and over 45000 people were displaced in the clashes.
The Hindu Meiteis account for about 53 per cent of Manipur’s population and live mostly in the Imphal Valley. Kuki and other tribes constitute another 40 per cent of the population and reside in the hill districts. Recently the Manipur government started evictions in the hill and forest areas encroached upon by migrant Kukis. Tension started in the hill districts during the evictions. The Manipur high court on March 27 passed the judgement to include the Meitei community in the ST list, and protests erupted in the hill districts after the high court judgement. During the solidarity march organised by the tribal students union backed by the church’s community, armed Kuki militants attacked the Meitei community village in Bishnupur district on May 3. Violence spread to the entire State after that.
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