New Delhi: In fresh violence in Manipur, two police commandos were killed and two others sustained injuries after a clash broke out between security forces and suspected Kuki militants in Moreh town on Wednesday, news agency PTI reported.
The deceased have been identified as Wangkhem Somorjit (32) and Takhellambam Saileshwore from Lamshang in Imphal West district. While Saileshwore was shot dead in the evening, Somorjit succumbed to his injuries during treatment at Key Location Point (KLP) of Assam Rifles.
Among those injured were constable N Bheem (35), who was hit by a bullet in his left leg, and ASI Sidharth Thokchom (35), who sustained bullet injuries on his face and ears. He was airlifted to Imphal and is undergoing treatment at RIMS, PTI reported.
The exchange of fire started after the suspected Kuki militants fired at the security forces 48 hours after two suspects in the killing of a police officer in October were arrested by security forces in the border town, police said, as reported by PTI.
The gunfight began after the suspected militants fired a rocket-propelled grenade (RPG) at a temporary police unit near SBI Moreh. The police forces fired back in retaliation.
Meanwhile, as a mark of protest, large number of women from Malom in Imphal West district blocked the road to the airport on Wednesday, PTI reported.
“The body of the deceased policeman will not be accepted by the family members till the culprits are arrested and brought to justice," spokesperson L Premchand of the Joint Action Committee (JAC), formed in connection with the killing of Somorjit, told PTI.
Wearing traditional mourning dress, the women sat on the middle of the road to stop all forms of vehicular movement on the route.
Meanwhile, a large number of Meira Paibis from Imphal's main market of Khwairamband Keithel took out a rally demanding reinforcement of state forces at Moreh. They marched towards Chief Minister N Biren Singh’s bungalow but were stopped by police, PTI reported.