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IMPHAL: A fresh wave of violence has struck Manipur’s Tengnoupal district, claiming lives of at least 13 individuals in a tragic incident that unfolded near the Myanmar border. Official sources reported on Monday that despite the loss of lives, no weapons were discovered in proximity to the deceased.
According to security forces officials, the unsettling episode began around early afternoon on December 4, following reports of a firefight erupting between two groups of militants in Letithu village near Saibol in Tengnoupal district. Swiftly responding to the alert, a team of security forces rushed to the area.
Upon reaching Leithu village, situated approximately 10 km northwest of Saibol, the forces discovered the lifeless bodies of 13 individuals. Notably, the location had been a recent target for an attempted Assam Rifles patrol through an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) attack.
The police, who arrived at the scene, disclosed that the identity of the deceased individuals is yet to be established. The matter is currently under investigation as authorities work to unravel the circumstances surrounding this tragic event.
This incident marks the first major case of violence in the border area since the state grappled with communal violence between the Meiteis and Kukis on May 3, 2023. The scars of that earlier conflict still linger, making the recent episode even more distressing for the residents of Tengnoupal district.
As of the latest update, no group or organisation has claimed responsibility for the killings. The absence of information regarding the motive behind the violence adds an element of uncertainty and concern to the already tragic situation.
The local authorities are coordinating efforts to identify the victims, determine the cause of the violence, and bring those responsible to justice. The community remains on edge as they await further updates on this distressing incident that has once again cast a shadow over the region’s peace and stability.
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