2 killed, 3 injured in fresh gunfight in violence-hit Manipur

Two people were killed, and three others sustained bullet injuries after fresh violence rocked Manipur on Tuesday, police said. The incident took place near Kadangband village in the Lamshang area on the border of Imphal West when some unknown armed miscreants opened fire at a camp.

According to police, two village volunteers, identified as Nongthombam Micheal (33) and Meisnam Khaba (23), were killed in the attack.

Following the attack, camp volunteers retaliated, resulting in a gunfight between the two sides, locals told India Today TV.

"Two individuals were killed in a firing incident between armed miscreants in the bordering area of Kangpokpi and Imphal West districts," the Police Control Room said in a statement.

"Following the retaliation, the attackers retreated, regrouped and attacked again. The gunfight is underway," news agency PTI quoted a police officer as saying.

Several people, including women and children, in Kadangband and neighbouring Koutruk village fled to safer locations following the attack, the officer claimed.

Meanwhile, additional security personnel were rushed to the area to bring the situation under control.

The ongoing ethnic violence in Manipur has inflicted severe damage on Koutruk and Kadangband villages, marked by several armed conflicts between rival groups from the Kuki and Meitei communities.

Since May 2023, Manipur has been grappling with ethnic tensions pitting the Imphal Valley-based Meiteis against the Kukis from the adjoining hills, leading to the death of over 180 people.

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