Fresh violence has gripped the state of Manipur as tensions escalated following the suspicious disappearance of two boys from Akham Awang Leikai in Imphal West District. This event set off a chain reaction of violence, including reports of firings in multiple districts within the hill-valley border regions, leading to injuries and one fatality in Kangchup area of Imphal West District, as reported by Ukhrul Times.
The first exchange of fire occurred early in the morning near Maphou, situated on the border of Imphal East and Kangpokpi districts, raising immediate concerns about the safety and stability of the region.
According to a security official, a group of five individuals from the Kuki-Zomi community was abducted while traveling in a vehicle at approximately 8:45 am. The incident took place close to Kangchup Chinkhong, which marks the boundary between the Kuki-Zomi-dominated Kangpokpi and the Meitei-dominated Imphal West district, as reported by Indian Express.
While one of the five was rescued, the whereabouts of the remaining individuals remained unknown as of Tuesday evening. The rescued individual, 65-year-old Manglun Haokip from Bolkot village, sustained serious injuries and was admitted to the military hospital in Leimakhong.
According to reports, the Indigenous Tribal Leaders’ Forum has held Meitei radical group Arambai Tenggol responsible for the abduction and issued a statement appealing that a search operation be launched by central security forces to rescue them, stating, “we fear they may have been killed or being tortured.”
The group also stated that the firing that took place in the area later that day was initiated by Kuki-Zomi “volunteers” angered by the incident.
The violence that erupted resulted in at least 10 people being injured, including a woman and two police personnel, during the cross firings at Kangchup Chingkhong area. Seven of the injured individuals were rushed to RIMS hospital, while two were taken to Raj Medicity in Imphal. Among the casualties, Meira Paibi woman Leichombam Ibemcha (39) from Kangchup Chingkhong and L Thangal Meitei (24) were reported to be in critical conditions.
Further firing incidents occurred in villages close to Kakngchup Chinkhong and in villages near Singda Kadangband area, resulting in the injury of at least seven more individuals.