Three tribals belonging to the Kuki-Zo community were shot dead in Manipur’s Kangpokpi on Tuesday morning allegedly by militants of banned terror groups, said officials in Imphal. The assailants came in a vehicle and attacked the villagers between the Ireng and Karam areas located in the bordering areas of Imphal West and Kangpopki districts, the officials said, as per a PTI report. The incident comes a day after central security agencies warned about the possibility of terrorists mingling with crowds during any protest to stoke tensions in the restive Manipur state.
It was alleged that members from the banned organisations, the United National Liberation Front (UNLF) and People's Liberation Army (PLA) were among the mob which fired at an army officer that left him severely injured, PTI reported on Monday citing officials.
Last week, a Lieutenant Colonel of the Indian Army was injured during a standoff with a group of people, including Meira Paibis (women vigilantes), who attempted to attack tribals at Molnoi village near Pallel in Tengnoupal district but were stopped by the army and Assam Rifles.
During the crossfire, a bullet hit Lt Col Raman Tyagi in his hand. The incident led to a crackdown on the protesters who were determined to march towards the tribal village.
Following the probe, the security agencies concluded that the terrorists of the banned groups were part of the crowd.
The officials said they had been warning for the past few weeks about the resurgence of near dormant banned groups like UNLF, PLA, Kanglei Yawol Kanba Lup (KYKL) and People's Revolutionary Party of Kangleipak (PREPAK) in the state.
On June 24, 12 members of the KYKL were nabbed in East Imphal by Army and Assam Rifles based on specific intelligence. Self-styled 'Lt Colonel' Moirangthem Tamba alias Uttam was also among those nabbed.
The UNLF has in the past been largely involved in extortion targeting contractors and businessmen, while PLA, which initially took shape under the name of 'Polei', had the aim to liberate Manipur and establish an independent Meitei land in Imphal Valley.