Manipur violence: 4 including juvenile, policeman killed in fresh firing incidents

Manipur. In the last 24 hours, at least four people, including a policeman and a teenage boy, have been shot dead in separate incidents in the border areas between Manipur’s Bishnupur and Churachandpur districts. Additional casualties and injuries were reported, raising concerns about increased violence, killings and arson in these areas over the past two months. Sensitive areas and buffer zones Reports quoting Army sources suggest that the Kangwai area of Bishnupur district has been a sensitive area for a long time due to its proximity to both the communities. To prevent the situation from worsening, security forces have set up a ‘buffer zone’ and deployed personnel. However, miscreants from both sides often manage to infiltrate hill and valley villages and engage in crossfire. Recent clashes have involved mobs from outside the area, who ignored appeals from locals to disperse. Response by security forces A senior security official involved in ground operations said mobs from both sides attempted to set houses on fire, but security forces responded in a coordinated manner and prevented the destruction. However, miscreants from both the communities fired at each other from a distance, resulting in the death of three people and several injuries in Kangwai, Songdo and Awang Lekhai villages. Though the firing subsided in the early hours, the mob in the valley continued to hinder the reinforcement of the security forces. Efforts to restore peace Senior officers of the security forces are working tirelessly to restore peace in the area by engaging with both the communities. However, emotions ran high and intermittent firing continued, though the situation was described as tense but under control. The Manipur Police Control Room issued a statement acknowledging sporadic incidents of firing and unruly mob gathering, leading to tension and chaos at some places in the last 24 hours. Government Action and Seizures In response to the escalating violence, a joint team of Manipur police and central security forces demolished 18 illegal bunkers built by miscreants and militants in various districts. Besides this, 50 illegal bunkers were demolished within the last 24 hours. In addition, law enforcement agencies seized five sophisticated weapons, 74 rounds of ammunition and five high-explosive hand grenades in Imphal East district. The police have also set up 126 checkpoints across Manipur and detained 270 persons for flouting the law in various districts.