Residents of Leithao village in Manipur’s Tengnoupal district found themselves fleeing their homes on Tuesday, just a day after a gunfight claimed the lives of 13 individuals in a clash with the village's defence volunteers, according to sources familiar with the incident. Anticipating further violence, residents began evacuating their homes.
Despite the relative peace that had prevailed in Leithao village since May 3, when tensions initially erupted in the state, security forces were not stationed in the village. The closest security post is approximately 10 km away in Saibol.
Following the gunfight, the bodies were transported to Imphal late on Monday night, prompting heightened alertness among police and security forces in various parts of the state.
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In an official statement on December 4, Manipur Police confirmed the deaths and said a case has been registered.
Monday's gunfight resulted in at least 13 casualties, marking a grim turn of events seven months after ethnic clashes in Manipur claimed the lives of at least 180 people. This incident represents the highest single-day toll reported in the state in six months.
According to villagers, over 20 armed individuals were involved in the attack on the village. While 13 lost their lives, the others managed to escape.
In the latest development, the state government had taken the decision to resume mobile internet services across Manipur on Sunday. However, these services remain restricted in buffer zones, small areas with a radius of approximately 2 km connecting valley districts with hill districts.
