Four people, including two women, were shot dead in a firing carried out by militants in Ukhrul district of Manipur, which has been affected by ethnic conflict.
The attack was carried out on Friday in the New Haven area of the Imphal-Ukhrul road. All four of the deceased were from the Naga tribe.
In indiscriminate firing by armed militants on people traveling in two cars, four people, including two women, died on the spot. A police officer said that two of them were mother and son.
Earlier, a 42-year-old Kuki woman was killed and two others were injured in a gunfight between two rival groups on Thursday in the Taphou Kuki village on the border of the Senapati-Kangpokpi districts.
Before the tension caused by this incident could subside, militants carried out an attack in Ukhrul district. Questions have arisen as to whether this attack was carried out in revenge for the killing of the Kuki woman. At the same time, the Kuki organization has denied any involvement in the attack.
In 2023, riots broke out between the majority Meitei community and the Kuki tribal community in Manipur. In the violence that followed, more than 300 people have been killed so far. 49 people are missing.
With normalcy still not fully restored, tensions have also been simmering in recent months between the Kuki and Naga tribes. Since last January, more than 50 people have been killed in clashes between these two communities. The districts of Tamenglong, Noney, Kangpokpi, Ukhrul, and Kamjong have been severely affected.
Shutdown protest: Meanwhile, in protest over the death of a Kuki woman, a 48-hour total shutdown began in Kangpokpi on Friday. Markets, business establishments, and shops have been closed. Since buses and autos are not operating, people’s normal lives have been affected.
Congress criticism: Keisham Meghachandra, leader of the Congress group in the Manipur Assembly, said, “Five people have been killed in Manipur in the past 24 hours. When will the safety of the state’s people be ensured? When will the government take responsibility for these killings? How many more lives must be lost?” he asked.
Following the resignation last year of the BJP government led by Biren Singh in Manipur, President’s Rule was imposed. President’s Rule was withdrawn in February this year, and the BJP formed the government again. Khemchand Singh is serving as Chief Minister. Elections to the 60-member Manipur Legislative Assembly are scheduled for next year.
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Inquiry panel
Further extension
New Delhi, Nov. 13: The three-member panel headed by former Supreme Court judge Balbir Singh Chauhan, which has been investigating the violence that took place in Manipur in 2023, has been granted a further six-month extension.
The Ministry of Home Affairs has now granted a time extension to this committee, which was formed in June 2023, for the 7th time. Accordingly, the committee has been instructed to submit its report by May 20 next year.