In the latest escalation of violence in Manipur, fresh clashes erupted between armed groups from two communities, according to police reports. On Saturday, armed miscreants fired towards the Thamnapokpi and Lamlai areas in the Imphal East district, with shots originating from hilltop positions in the neighboring district of Kangpokpi.
The gunfight began around 10:30 pm on June 21. Local village volunteers responded with retaliatory fire while security forces quickly intervened to stabilise the situation. The exchange of fire ceased after about an hour, and no casualties were reported, police confirmed.
Earlier, on June 7, violence broke out in Jiribam, a relatively peaceful area, after the body of Soibam Saratkumar Singh, 59, was discovered. Officials suspect militants were responsible for his death. Enraged locals set several abandoned structures on fire, prompting the imposition of a curfew.
Jiribam, which has a diverse ethnic makeup including Meiteis, Muslims, Nagas, Kukis, and non-Manipuris, had been largely untouched by the ethnic violence until this incident. In response, suspected militants torched two police outposts, a forest office, and at least 70 houses. This led authorities to transfer the superintendent of police.
A contingent of over 70 state police commandos was airlifted from Imphal to Jiribam to support security operations against militants. Following the violence, more than 200 people were relocated to relief camps in Manipur, while others crossed state borders into Assam's Cachar district.
The ethnic violence in Manipur began in May last year. Since then, over 200 people have lost their lives and thousands have been displaced, primarily in clashes between the Imphal Valley-based Meiteis and the hill-based Kukis. The ongoing conflict continues to destabilise the region, causing widespread concern and hardship.
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