Imphal: After a brief period of calm, violence has once again erupted in Jiribam district, bordering Assam in Manipur, resulting in the deaths of at least six people, including a 63-year-old senior citizen, on Saturday morning.
According to reports, Yurembam Kulabi @ Kulendra Singh of Ningthemkhunou village was shot dead in his sleep by suspected Kuki militants early Saturday morning. The violence escalated, leading to a firefight between the opposing groups in the Rashidpur Part-II Tea Estate, Jiribam, claiming the lives of one Meitei volunteer and four Kuki militants.
Police have reported the discovery of five bodies, including that of Baspatimayun Lakhi Kumar Sharma (also known as Bungsana or Henthoi), aged 41, son of B. Shyamson of Dibong Khunou, Jiribam, who was alleged to be a village volunteer. The bodies have been placed in the temporary mortuary at Jiribam hospital, and recovered items have been taken to the police station for further investigation.
Top security officials rushed to the scene to begin inquiries, and a security team recovered an MA-1 rifle along with two magazines and ammunition of various assault rifles.
In response to the violence, the district administration has imposed a curfew across the entire district, which will remain in effect until further notice.
Meanwhile, the Manipur police department has urged the public not to attempt to seize weapons from police stations or other locations, as this could put lives and property at risk.
Speaking to the media at the Police Headquarters, K. Kabib, IGP, Intelligence, stated that the department is also acquiring anti-drone technologies and other equipment to strengthen law enforcement and maintain order in the state.
Jiribam Apunba Lup (JAL)
Jiribam Apunba Lup, a civil society organization based in Jiribam, has strongly condemned the brutal killing of an innocent Meitei senior citizen in his home, allegedly by Kuki narco-terrorists, on Saturday morning. The Lup also criticized both state and central security forces for their failure to protect lives and property, questioning who would ensure the safety of the community.
