Fresh violence reported, army detains one
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, July 16 2023: Fresh violence between Meetei village volunteers and Kuki militants broke out on Sunday around 7.40 am near Tinkai Khullen village, which is in the border areas of Bishnupur and Kangpokpi districts.

Source said that Meetei village volunteers of the area entered the hill area to check presence of Kuki militants after receiving information of a possible attack on Meetei villages on Sunday morning.

As they proceeded, some Kuki militants hiding in the area attacked them and the village volunteers also retaliated resulting in a gunfight.

However, there is no report of any casualty though local sources contended that some Kuki militants could be injured.

Upon receiving information, a team of 5/9 GR went there and detained three village volunteers.

After intervention by local Meira Paibis, two were released but the army took one along with them to the headquarters at Keithelmanbi.

The incident triggered flash protests along Tiddim road with residents checking vehicles.

In the meantime, local Meira Paibi gathered and prevented the army team from entering the encounter site demanding immediate release of the village volunteer picked by them.

Consequently, a Bishnupur police team led by SP, additional SP (Ops), and additional SP (LO) came and controlled the protestors.

Later, army handed over the village volunteer to Nambol police.

The source further said that the gunfight continued till late afternoon.

On the other hand, fresh gunfight was also reported between Kuki militants and Meetei village volunteers in Khongnangpokpi and Lu-wangsangol areas on Sunday morning.

However, there is no report of any casualty on either side.

As a part of the pre-emp-tive measures, combined teams of state police and central forces continued to conduct search operations in the vulnerable and fringe areas of both valet and hill districts on Sunday.

According to a press note issued by the Police Control Room of Manlpur Police, the situation remained tense in some places with sporadic incidents of firing and congregation of unruly mob during the last 24 hours.

State police and central forces dismantled seven bunkers during search operations.

Intermittent firing by armed miscreants was reported at few places.

Com bined teams of state police and central forces launched operations in.Phaileng area of Kangpokpi district.

Two firearms and nine rounds of ammunition were recovered and the miscreants repelled.

During a search operation conducted by Thoubal district police in Heirok area on Saturday, 12 magazines and 25 ammunition were also recovered, said the Control Room, adding that around checkpoints were mobilised in hill and valley districts and 586 people detained for curfew violations.

Movement of essential items continued along NH-37 and NH-2 with strict security measures taken up in all vulnerable loca tions and security convoy being provided in sensitive stretches to ensure free and safe movement of the vehicles, it informed.

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