Fresh Violence In Manipur's Moreh As Militants Attack Security Forces: Report

A gunfight broke out between security forces and militants in northeastern state's Moreh town along the India-Myanmar border.

A gunfight broke out between security forces and militants in northeastern state's Moreh town along the India-Myanmar border.

Source : PTI

In a fresh incident of violence in Manipur, a gunfight broke out between security forces and militants in the northeastern state's Moreh town along the India-Myanmar border on Sunday night, police said, as reported by news agency PTI. The state police forces were attacked by Hills-based militants. A police officer said that the police retaliated following the attack, which led to a gunfight, PTI reported.

On January 2, the border town in Tengnoupal district witnessed a heavy gunfight in which six security personnel, including a BSF jawan, sustained injuries. The injured were airlifted to Imphal for better treatment.

Last week, Chief Minister N Biren Singh remarked that there were "high chances" that foreign mercenaries from Myanmar were involved in the attacks in Moreh, PTI reported.

Last month, tension prevailed in Moreh town after three commandos of Manipur Police sustained injuries in a rocket-propelled grenade (RPG) attack on one of their posts. According to officials, suspected militants fired several RPGs which exploded inside the CDO outpost building at Moreh Turelwangma Leikai where the commandos were staying. "The commandos are now being treated at the Assam Rifles KPL camp and are stated to be out of danger," police said.

Several police vehicles were also damaged during the attack, they said. As per the police, six suspected militants were injured in retaliatory firing. "Fatalities are also being reported but it could not be immediately confirmed. Further details are awaited," an official said.

In another incident in the same month, a village volunteer was injured in a gunfight between two groups at Tabungkhok area in Imphal East district in the wee hours of Sunday, police said, as reported by PTI. C Lamyanba was tasked with guarding the village when the gunfight broke out, officials said. He has been admitted to Raj Medicity for treatment and is "under observation", hospital staff said. 

It is to be noted that Kadangband, situated on the fringes of Imphal West district, shares its boundary with Kangpokpi district which has been witness to ethnic clashes that broke out on May 3 this year. Violence broke out after a 'Tribal Solidarity March' was organised in the hill districts of the state to protest against the demand of Scheduled Tribe (ST) status for the Meitei community.