Manipur: Two Dead In Fresh Firing In Bishnupur. More Arms Recovered In Imphal

A village defence volunteer was among the victims killed in the firing between two rival groups in Manipur's Bishnupur district.

Personnel of Assam Rifles with the seized arms

Two persons, including a village defence volunteer (VDV), were killed while seven others were injured in firing between two rival groups in the adjoining villages of Naransena in Manipur's Bishnupur district, police said. Police said the defence volunteer was killed after a bomb suddenly exploded. Another person died of bullet injuries. 

Personnel of the Manipur Police, Assam Rifles, Indian Army and Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) were immediately deployed in the trouble-torn areas to bring the situation under control.

In a statement, Manipur Police said that the situation in the violence-hit state remained tense with sporadic incidents of firing and congregation of protestors being reported from several parts in the past 24 hours.

READ | Manipur: 'War-Like' Stores, Arms Recovered By Security Forces In Churachandpur

A total of 130 "nakas" and checkpoints have been set up at several places, both in the hill and valley districts.

Meanwhile, security forces conducted search operations in the fringe and vulnerable areas of Bishnupur, Kakching, Churachandpur and Thoubal districts and recovered one weapon, 20 rounds of live ammunition and seven explosives.

In another operation by Assam Rifles and state police, four pistols and one .22 revolver along with six rounds of live ammunition were recovered from Pangei Nepali Basti foothill of Marjing hill range in Imphal East district. The seized weapons were handed over to Heingang police.

So far, Manipur police has detained 2,015 persons for violating law in different districts of the state.

Manipur Police conduct search operation (Source: MANIPUR POLICE)

The police also appealed to the people not to believe in rumours and be aware of false videos. Police said unfounded videos might be confirmed by dialing 9233522822 of the police central control room.

The police also appealed to the miscreants to return the looted arms, ammunition and explosives from the security forces to the police.

Violence in the state has claimed the lives of at least 167 people since May 3.  The ethnic clashes have also displaced thousands of people, forcing them to take refuge in relief camps.

Clashes between the Meitei and the Kuki-Zomi communities erupted on May 3 this year after a 'Tribal Solidarity March' was organised in the hill districts to protest against the Meitei community's demand for Scheduled Tribe (ST) status.