Guwahati: On New Year’s Day, a wave of violence erupted in Manipur, claiming the lives of four individuals and leaving several others injured. In response to the chaos, curfew has been reinstated in the five valley districts of the state. Local reports from Thoubal district suggest that an unidentified group of armed men, allegedly seeking extortion, arrived with automatic weapons, triggering a deadly confrontation.
According to witnesses, the armed group engaged in a dispute with a man they appeared to know, leading to a violent altercation. The situation escalated rapidly as the assailants opened fire indiscriminately, resulting in casualties. Enraged locals retaliated by setting the gunmen’s vehicles ablaze.
In a video message, Chief Minister N Biren Singh expressed deep sorrow over the loss of innocent lives and condemned the violence. He called for the cooperation of residents in identifying the culprits, promising the government’s commitment to delivering justice within the framework of the law. Following the incident, an urgent meeting of all ministers and ruling party MLAs was convened.
In the aftermath of the fresh violence, curfew measures have been reimposed in Thoubal, Imphal East, Imphal West, Kakching, and Bishnupur districts, as announced by officials. This incident follows a recent clash where four security forces were injured in a gunfight between suspected insurgents and police commandos in the border town of Moreh. The insurgents reportedly fired RPGs, causing explosions inside the CDO outpost building where the commandos were stationed.
Notably, Manipur has been grappling with ethnic conflicts throughout 2023, reaching a peak on May 3, resulting in over 180 deaths and displacing nearly 60,000 people. The state remains on high alert as authorities strive to address the ongoing challenges posed by violence and instability.
Flash:#Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh condemned the violence in a video message and appealed to the people to maintain peace. He said the police were trying to arrest those behind the attack.
"They will be arrested soon and punished as per the law," he said.
He… https://t.co/4ejb09CE2M pic.twitter.com/lDOBX3seH0
— Yuvraj Singh Mann (@yuvnique) January 1, 2024
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