Violence on upswing in Manipur town

Five civilians, two Assam Rifles jawans and five insurgents have been killed and several others injured across a week of terror in Churachandpur town. Police say the situation is still tense and more violence can be expected.

According to reports reaching here, gunbattles are raging in the town after sundown everyday, as insurgents fight among themselves and with security forces. SP J D Lhato said the current spurt of violence was a build-up of simmering differences between the Kuki National Organisation (KNO), Zomi Revolutionary Organisation (ZRO) and the Kuki National Front (KNF).

‘‘Two BSF battalions which were controlling the area have been sent to Assam and West Bengal on poll duty. This seems to have made the militants bolder. This current spurt of violence is due to some internal problem among the militants,’’ Lhato said.

However, the Army said there has been no reduction of troops in the hilltown. An Army spokesman said no void has been created by the BSF’s departure. The 27 Sector Assam Rifles has been entrusted with counter-insurgency operations in the region.