NEW DELHI: Three Meitei villagers were killed and three others injured after unidentified armed militants opened fire on a group collecting firewood in Manipur on Monday, officials said. It triggered protests in Imphal, where locals placed two of the victims’ bodies outside Manipur chief minister Y Khemchand Singh’s residence.The attack took place around 9.40 am at Sunulok Hill, ahead of Khongbal in the Tangkhul area, under Sagolmang police station.It came amid a series of violent incidents since Sunday night, including a fatal shooting during a clash between two communities in Thoubal district and an improvised explosive device (IED) blast that seriously injured three CRPF personnel.Addressing the incidents, Manipur Police ADGP Lhari Dorjee Lhatoo said security forces had intensified operations and were investigating all three incidents.“Police and security forces are taking the matter with utmost concern. Necessary security measures have been put in place and the situation is being very closely monitored,” he said.
Firewood collectors ambushed in the hills
The victims were part of a group of 14 Meitei villagers who had gone to cut and transport firewood when unidentified armed militants opened fire on them, Lhatoo said.“Today at around 9:40 AM, unidentified armed militants opened fire on a group of 14 Meitei villagers who were engaged in cutting and transporting firewood ahead of Khongbal, Tangkhul area, the exact spot is Sunulok Hill under Sagolmang police station,” he said.“In the incident, three individuals succumbed to bullet injuries. Three other individuals have also sustained injuries. The injured have been safely evacuated and are undergoing further medical treatment,” he added.The deceased were identified in an earlier account as Arubam Ronil, 35, Lairenlakpam Inaobi, 51, and Kshetrimayum Sushil, 32. Ronil and Inaobi died on the spot, while Sushil succumbed to his injuries at a private hospital in Imphal.The injured were identified as N Suraj, 19, Meisnam Somendro, 53, and K Bosan, 45. Three other people were reported missing in earlier accounts of the attack.An injured survivor told officials, “While we were loading the firewood, we were suddenly fired upon,” according to news agency PTI.Police have received inputs about those involved and are investigating the attack. Lhatoo said, “Various inputs regarding the persons involved have already been received. The matter is under thorough investigation, and after due process, we will ensure all necessary action will be taken to punish the perpetrators of such heinous crimes.”He said joint teams of police, CoBRAs, CRPF, Assam Rifles and BSF were conducting operations in the area.“Even as we speak, operations are on in the area with joint teams of Police, CoBRAs, CRPF, Assam Rifles, and BSF, and more Int-based operations are in the offing on priority,” he said.“Sniffer dogs and drones are being used, and helicopter surveillance has also commenced,” he added.
Bodies placed outside CM’s residence
Angry locals brought two of the deceased’s bodies to Imphal and placed them outside the main gate of the chief minister’s residence in Babupara to protest the continuing violence in the state.Police fired several rounds of tear gas shells to disperse the protesters. The bodies were subsequently taken to the Jawaharlal Nehru Institute of Medical Sciences (JNIMS).Security was tightened around the chief minister’s bungalow and along the routes leading to it.Following the demonstration, Khemchand Singh visited the injured people receiving treatment at a private hospital in Imphal but did not respond to media queries.
Protests spread, markets and shops shut
The attack triggered demonstrations at several locations in the state capital. Protesters blocked a road at Khurai Lamlong, while a group of women staged a demonstration at Ema Keithel market.Markets and shops across Imphal shut following the incident, as anger grew over the latest attack.
IED blast injures three CRPF personnel
Three CRPF personnel were seriously injured in an IED blast in Kakwa Lamdaibung Lampak, near Singjamei police station. The explosion occurred at 11.41pm on Sunday, according to ADGP Lhatoo.“In a second incident around 11.41 PM, an IED exploded at Kakwa Lamdaibung Lampak, near Singjamai PS and 3 CRPF personnel were seriously injured and hospitalised at Raj Medicity,” he said.Police were pursuing leads in the case.“We are pursuing some leads regarding the incident and are confident that we will be able to take action as per law on the culprits,” Lhatoo said.
Thoubal clash leaves one dead
The attack on the firewood collectors followed a separate incident in Thoubal district late on Sunday night. Tension erupted between two communities after unidentified persons allegedly pelted stones during a musical night at Khangabok Pali Bazar, under Thoubal police station.Lhatoo said, “In the first incident last night at around 11:20 PM, tension erupted between two communities following a stone-pelting incident by unidentified persons during a musical night at Khangabok Pali Bazar under Thoubal police station.”He said the situation subsequently escalated, drawing in communities from Khangabok and Sangakpham.“At around 12.40 AM, one individual succumbed to his injuries; these were bullet injuries, at Raj Medicity, while several others were injured,” he said.Additional forces, including the Rapid Action Force, CRPF, Assam Rifles and police, were deployed to the area.“Additional forces were immediately rushed into the area, including RAF, CRPF, and Assam Rifles and Police and security forces brought the situation under control at around approximately 1:50 AM today morning, 19th of October,” Lhatoo said.He added that police were working to identify those responsible and recover illegal weapons.“Efforts are on to identify the accused. Witnesses are being located and questioned, and operations are ongoing to also seize the illegal arms in the area,” he said.
People displaced after 15 houses torched in Kamjong
At least 15 houses belonging to the Kuki community were torched in Chassad village in Kamjong district late on Saturday night, officials said on Sunday. Suspected militants allegedly set the houses on fire, forcing several civilians to flee to forest areas and a nearby Army camp.PTI reported that a Kuki civilian was killed and four others sustained bullet injuries when suspected militants attacked the village earlier on Sunday.Deputy chief minister Nemcha Kipgen condemned the violence in Chassad, expressed grief over the death and concern for the injured village leaders and displaced families. She described the burning of houses as an intolerable crime and said she had directed the district administration, state police and security forces to remain vigilant round the clock, protect civilian lives and property, and ensure those responsible were brought to justice.Police said a joint team of the Assam Rifles, Border Security Force and Kamjong Police had been deployed in the affected area to bring the situation under control.In another separate incident at Kamjong district headquarters on Saturday night, three Tangkhul Naga civilians sustained bullet injuries when rival armed groups belonging to another community attacked the village.
Police appeal for calm as operations intensify
Lhatoo said security agencies were coordinating to maintain law and order and prevent further escalation.“Manipur Police, in close coordination with the CRPF, BSF, Army, Assam Rifles and other sister security agencies, is working continuously to maintain law and order and prevent further escalation,” he said.He added that senior police officials were coordinating with stakeholders to restore normalcy and protect residents.“All necessary legal and operational measures will be pursued in the strictest manner to identify those responsible and to bring them to justice,” he said.The ADGP appealed to residents to remain calm and avoid spreading unverified information.“We appeal to the public to remain calm, exercise restraint, and not take the law into their own hands. People are also requested not to believe or circulate unverified information, rumours, or provocative content on social media, as these may aggravate the situation,” he said.
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He urged residents to cooperate with security forces and report suspicious activity to the nearest police station or the central control room.Manipur has witnessed prolonged violence since May 2023. The latest incidents, involving shootings, an IED blast and arson, have renewed concerns over civilian safety and the challenge of restoring normalcy across the state.(With inputs from agencies)
