5 Meiteis killed as Manipur violence refuses to ebb

On Thursday, firing took place in different areas at the border of Meitei-dominated and Kuki-dominated districts, resulting in the killing of at least five Meiteis in two different incidents. According to police, the body of a person “suspected to be killed in exchange of fire between armed miscreants” late Wednesday night was recovered in Kangchup, at the border of Imphal West and Kangpokpi district. In a separate incident of firing that took place in Bishnupur district, four people were killed. They were identified as Oinam Bamaljao and his son Oinam Manitomba, and Thiyam Somen and Ningthoujam Neta.

Additionally, there were attempts to loot weapons from police establishments in Thoubal district of the valley on Wednesday night, wherein three BSF personnel sustained bullet injuries.

The mobs targeted the 3rd Indian Reserve Battalion in Thoubal’s Khangabok, and Thoubal Police Headquarters. On both occasions, security personnel pushed them back, but at Thoubal Police Headquarters, three BSF personnel sustained bullet injuries when members of the mob opened fire as they were being pushed back.

On Wednesday’s attack in Moreh, Security Advisor Singh said, “Since yesterday (Wednesday) morning, a large number of Kuki militants started firing at police commandos in three locations in Moreh. There was an intelligence report from before that the PDF insurgents operating at Moreh, and maybe some reinforcements from the Burma side, also may attack state forces.”

Addressing the media in Imphal on Thursday evening, he added that intelligence had been gathered following threats by Kuki groups that Manipur police commandos stationed in Moreh would be targeted.

“Intelligence was there from a few days, because Kuki Inpi and the CSOs (civil society organisations) and so many other people were coming to the security locations in Moreh and they were saying that the CDOs (commandos) should be removed from there. If CDOs are not moved, the CDOs would be targeted, (the groups said),” he said.

“The intelligence agencies also tried to find out what kind of attack they were planning. It was found that nearby volunteers and some miscreants, even from across (the border), may join them to attack the SF (security forces). Because of that, all kinds of steps were taken… In spite of that, they could come near…,” he added.

He said that militants enhanced their activities in the area after two people suspected in the October 31 killing of Manipur police officer Anand Singh were arrested from there earlier this month.

He also underlined that there was no evidence of the involvement of armed parties from Myanmar in the violence in Moreh.