Tragic Escalation: Five Lives Lost in Latest Manipur Violence Amidst Militant Crackdown
The state of Manipur has been gripped by a wave of ethnic violence since May 2023, with clashes between the Meitei and Kuki communities claiming over 200 lives and displacing thousands. The situation took a tragic turn on September 7, 2024, as fresh violence erupted in Jiribam district, leaving five people dead.
Militants Attack Nungchappi Village
According to police reports, suspected Kuki insurgents attacked Nungchappi village in Jiribam district, killing a 63-year-old man identified as Yurembam Kulendra Singha. The attack came a day after an elderly Meitei man was killed in a rocket-propelled bomb attack by Kuki insurgents in Manipur’s Moirang town.
Gunfight Between Meitei and Kuki Groups
In a separate incident, five others were killed in a gunfight between armed groups of the Meitei community and the hill-dominant Kuki tribes in Jiribam. These groups call themselves “village defence volunteers”. The death toll is expected to rise as the gunfight continues.
Security Forces Destroy Militant Bunkers
While the violence continues unabated in Jiribam, security forces have taken action against militants in other parts of the state. On Friday, security forces destroyed three bunkers of militants in Churachandpur district after the insurgents launched rocket attacks in adjoining Bishnupur that killed one person and injured six others.
Authorities Closely Monitoring the Situation
The authorities are closely monitoring the situation in Manipur, and the police are prepared to respond to any contingency that may arise. High-level security meetings have been held to take stock of the law and order situation.
Escalating Violence and New Tactics
The recent violence in Manipur has seen the use of new tactics by militants, including drones and rockets, which were previously unheard of in the state. The conflict, which has been marked by ethnic clashes between Kukis and Meiteis since May 2023, has intensified significantly in the past five days.
Closure of Educational Institutions
In response to the escalating violence, the Manipur administration has ordered all educational institutions in the state to remain closed on Saturday. The Coordination Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI), a valley-based civil society organization, has also announced an indefinite “public emergency” asking people to stay indoors citing “unabated attacks by Kuki militants”.The tragic events in Jiribam serve as a stark reminder of the ongoing crisis in Manipur and the urgent need for a peaceful resolution to the conflict. As the violence continues to escalate, with militants employing new tactics, the authorities must work tirelessly to restore peace and protect the lives of innocent civilians caught in the crossfire.
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