The Indigenous Tribal Leaders Forum (ITLF), an organisation representing the Kuki-Zo community, issued a call for an emergency shutdown in Manipurs Churachandpur effective immediately, as the death toll from the ongoing gunfire since August 29 has risen to four.ITLF, declaring this demand, exempted essential services like water and medical supply from the shutdown.EMERGENCY SHUTDOWN!!Aug 31, 2023Lonphai, Khousabung, Kangvai and Sugnu areas are under attack by #MeiteiMilitants. ITLF calls for Emergency Shutdown with immediate effect in Lamka district. Emergency services like medical, police, water electricity, press are exempted.… pic.twitter.com/Wx8D3iqyvG— ITLFMediaCell (A) (@ITLFMedia_Cell) August 31, 2023The gunfire, which has been ongoing at the border of the Kuki-dominated Churachandpur and Meitei-dominated Bishnupur districts, has led to the death of two more individuals. Both victims sustained bomb splinter injuries and passed away in the last two hours.Fresh violence in Manipur kills 2 moreOne of the deceased has been identified as LS Mangboi, a local songwriter renowned for his song I gam hilo ham (Isnt this our land), which gained popularity during the ongoing conflict. The other victim, Richard Hemkholin Guite, reportedly a village defence volunteer, succumbed to injuries in the Churachandpur district.Previously on August 29, Jangminlun Gangte and Laibungjam Inao lost their lives in Churachandpur and Bishnupur respectively in the ongoing gunfire exchange.After heavy gun battles, a period of relative calm followed since Wednesday evening. Meanwhile, security operations conducted searches in Kangpokpi, Thoubal, Churachandpur, and Imphal-West districts, resulting in the recovery of arms, ammunition, and explosives.More than 160 people have lost their lives amid the ethnic violence that broke out in Manipur on May 3.
