Eight including IRB personnel injured in gunfight
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, August 30 2023: At least eight persons including two IRB riflemen were injured in a heavy exchange of fire between Kuki militants and security forces as well as village volunteers on the western end of Naransena village under Moirang police station in Bishnupur district on Wednesday.

Naransena area has been witnessing intermittent exchange of fire since Tuesday morning after Kuki militants attacked Meetei farmers, who were working in their fields.

The attack claimed life of a Meetei farmer and left seven others injured.

On Wednesday around 8 am, the Kuki militants launched fresh offensive on Naransena village using automatic rifles and bombs.

A mortar shell fired by the Kuki militants fell in the camp of 2nd IRB located at Naransena, in which two riflemen were injured.

In the ensuing gunfight, six village volunteers were also injured.

One of them suffered gunshot wound on his head and he along with two others with grievous injuries were evacuated to Raj Medicity while others were rushed to different hospitals in Imphal.

Large number of Meetei civilians including women rushed to Naransena to defend the Meetei village, which would be crucial to both the warring communities as occupation of the Meetei village by Kuki militants will cut off large area of Meetei settlement in Moirang and its surrounding areas from Imphal.

The womenfolk also stopped entry of civilians into the hot zone in a bid to deescalate the tense situation.

Intermittent exchange of fire is reported till late night.

Local source said that there are possibilities of death and injuries on the Kuki side too.

Further details are awaited.

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