Manipur Violence: Armed Rioters Opened Fire In Kangpokpi District Today, Says Indian Army

Armed miscreants on Thursday morning opened fire in Manipur's Haraothel village, the Indian Army said in a statement. There was no confirmation of casualty in the incident.

File photo of an army operation in Manipur.

The unrest in Manipur continued on Thursday when alleged armed rioters opened fire without provocation near Haraothel village of Kangpokpi district on Thursday morning. The incident occurred around 5:30 am. Indian Army immediately mobilised troops in the area to prevent escalation of the situation. The Indian Army said in a statement that its personnel drew fire from the miscreants and responded effectively "in a calibrated manner to prevent any collateral damage".

Unconfirmed reports indicate some casualties and a crowd also gathered in the area, reported news agency ANI.

Violent clashes erupted in Manipur on May 3, triggered by a 'Tribal Solidarity March' held in the hill districts to express opposition to the Meitei community's demand for Scheduled Tribe (ST) status. The Meiteis, who make up approximately 53 percent of Manipur's population and primarily reside in the Imphal Valley, clashed with the Nagas and Kukis, who constitute about 40 percent of the population and inhabit the hill districts.

According to PTI, over 50,000 individuals are currently housed in more than 300 relief camps throughout the state, seeking shelter since the ethnic tensions escalated earlier this year. Sadly, the ongoing ethnic violence between the Meitei and Kuki communities in Manipur has already claimed the lives of over 100 individuals.

Earlier on Thursday, the Manipur Police stopped Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's convoy at Bishnupur, approximately 20 km away from Imphal. Gandhi, who is on a two-day visit to violence-hit Manipur, had arrived in Imphal and was en route to Churachandpur to visit relief camps in the region. The police stated that the convoy was stopped due to concerns over potential violence along the route.

Incidents such as burning tires on the highway near Utlou village in Bishnupur district and a few instances of stone-throwing towards the convoy prompted the "precautionary measure". A police officer said that due to apprehensions of further similar events, they requested the convoy to halt at Bishnupur. 

Reacting to the incident, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge lashed out at the BJP governments at the Centre and the state, alleging that the "double engine disastrous governments are using autocratic methods to stall a compassionate outreach" by the former Rahul Gandhi.