A policeman died and at least 10 people suffered injuries on Monday in Manipur as fresh violence broke out in the West Kangpokpi area of the state. The violence broke out overnight and there was a brief lull between 3 am to 6 am following which there was indiscriminate firing in Phayeng and Singda villages, PTI reported.
As per officials, the firing was aimed at villages and hills in the Kangchup area of Kangpokpi district. Officials haven't ruled out the possibility of more casualties on both sides and said that the exact picture could only be gauged after the firing came to an end, reported news agency PTI.
Assam Rifles manages the buffer zone between two villages.
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At least 150 people have died and hundreds have been injured since the ethnic violence broke out in the state on May 3. Violence erupted in Manipur on May 3 during a "Tribal Solidarity March" in protest against the Meiteis’ demand of Scheduled Tribes (ST) status. Tension in the state had been already simmering in view of the eviction of Kuki villagers from the reserve forest lands.
Last week, a mob of 150-200 people set ablaze two vehicles near the Kangla Fort in Imphal and also tried to snatch weapons from the police. The security forces retaliated by firing at the crowd. However, no one was injured, PTI reported.
Later, Army troops were called in and the mob was dispersed by late night.
Intermittent gunfire exchange was also reported near Yaingangpokpi in the Imphal East district last week.
Major violence was reported in the Kangvai area of Bishnupur district on Friday when two communities clashed, leading to four deaths, including a Manipur Police commando and a teenager.
Around 40,000 central security personnel, besides the Manipur Police, have been deployed to control the violence in the state.