Manipur: Tensions Escalate as Militant Attack in Moreh Leaves 7 Security Personnel Injured

Multiple police personnel were reportedly injured after an attack by militants in Chavangphai area of Manipur's Moreh on Tuesday. According to the reports, four state commandos and three Border Security Force (BSF) personnel have been injured in the attack. 

Kaikholal Haokip, a spokesperson for an umbrella group of Kukis in Tengnouplal, said a gunfight broke out between security forces and unidentified gunmen following reports of commandos abducting two unarmed civilians, a Hindustan Times report mentioned.

Tengnoupal police superintendent Luikham Lanmiyo, however, denied reports of the arrest of anybody involved in the attack.

Deputy Commissioner Krishna Kumar said the attack was unprovoked and that the injured security personnel were rushed to separate hospitals. Five of the personnel were airlifted to Imphal, where they were admitted to the Regional Institute of Medical Sciences. Two others were being treated in Moreh. Officials said the four of the wounded were Manipur Police commandos and the rest were from the Border Security Force.

On December 31 also, a similar incident is said to have taken place with suspected insurgents launching an RPG attack on the barracks of police commandos in Moreh. Five state police commandos were injured in the December 31 attack at the border town of Moreh in Tengnoupal district on Saturday. They were airlifted to Imphal and admitted to hospital.

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Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh had expressed concern over the attacks on state forces and said that a delegation will soon go to Delhi to meet central leaders and apprise them of the situation.

Several purported videos have surfaced on the internet with users claiming that cross-border attacks are being carried out by "militants" belonging to particular communities. These purported videos or claims have not been confirmed by authorities yet.   

4 Killed in Fresh Clashes on Monday

Sporadic incidents of violence have kept Manipur tense over the past weeks, with four people reportedly being shot dead in a fresh clash in state's Thoubal district on Monday, leading to the imposition of curfew.

Four villagers were gunned down by unidentified assailants on Monday after unidentified gunmen in camouflage uniforms descended on Lilong Chingjao to "extort money" from a person, leading to an altercation. While they were being chased away by locals, the gunmen opened indiscriminate fire leading to the casualties, police had said.

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While the toll in Monday's incident was three initially, the count increased to four after one more person succumbed to injuries.

"After the incident, tension was high on Monday night but holding of an inter-faith meeting by civil society leaders and Lilong MLA Abdul Nasir and Chief Minister N Biren Singh's assurance that the culprits will be arrested and punished as per the law defused the situation," a police official had said.

Following the violence, a curfew was imposed in Thoubal, Imphal East and Imphal West, Kakching and Bishnupur districts.

In a video message, CM Biren Singh condemned the violence, and appealed to people, particularly the residents of Lilong, to maintain peace.

"Police are working to arrest those behind the attack. They will be arrested soon and punished as per the law," he said. Local MLA Abdul Nasir said officials concerned have apprised him of the situation, and that the culprits will be nabbed soon.

Manipur Violence 

Erstwhile acting Manipur High Court Chief Justice MV Muralidharan on March 27 passed an order directing the state government in Manipur to recommend the inclusion of the Meitei community in the Scheduled Tribes (ST) list. Massive protests by both Naga and Kuki-Zomi tribes ensued which escalated to them clashing with the Meiteis. 

The ethnic violence escalated on May 3 last year when a 'Tribal Solidarity March' organised in the hill districts of the northeastern state to protest against the Meitei community's demand for Scheduled Tribe (ST) status sparked clashes.

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More than 180 people have reportedly been killed and several hundred injured since ethnic violence broke out in Manipur on May 3.

Meiteis account for about 53 per cent of Manipur's population and live mostly in the Imphal Valley. Tribals — Nagas and Kukis — constitute little over 40 per cent and reside in the hill districts.