Two men were allegedly killed and four others injured when suspected militants opened fire on a group collecting firewood near the border of Imphal East and Kangpokpi districts in Manipur on Monday. The killings triggered protests in Imphal, where residents brought the victims’ bodies to the gate of Chief Minister Y Khemchand Singh’s bungalow.
Security personnel deployed outside the chief minister’s residence were taken by surprise when protesters left a body at the gate. Police subsequently fired several rounds of tear gas shells to disperse the crowd. The bodies were later taken to the Jawaharlal Nehru Institute of Medical Sciences (JNIMS).
It was not immediately known whether Singh was present at his residence when the protest took place.
Two killed, four injured in ambush
The deceased were identified as Arubam Ronil, 35, and Lairenlakpam Inaobi, 51. According to officials, a group of 16 people had gone to the hills near their village at around 7 am to collect firewood when they were allegedly ambushed by militants.
The attack took place at Khongbal Sunurok Uyok in Kangpokpi district, a few metres from Nongshum village in Imphal East. Officials said four people were injured when the attackers allegedly opened fire on the group. Three others were reported missing following the incident.
The latest killings have added to tensions in Manipur, where violence has continued in areas affected by ethnic clashes. The suspected involvement of Kuki militants in Monday’s attack was reported by officials and remains an allegation.
Fresh violence follows deadly clash in Kamjong
The incident comes two days after a separate gunfight involving armed groups belonging to the Kuki and Naga communities in Chassad, a Kuki village in Manipur’s Kamjong district, left one person dead and four others injured.
A 36-year-old man, Seikhohou Haokip, died after sustaining injuries in the violence on Saturday, according to an officer quoted by Hindustan Times. Village head Thangjahou Haokip, 48, and three others, Khailun Haokip, 57, Hegin Haokip, 48, and Seipao Haokip, 55, were also injured.
Assam Rifles personnel rescued the injured and took them to a hospital run by the paramilitary force in Chassad. Seikhohou later succumbed to his injuries.
The latest incidents have renewed concerns over security in Manipur, particularly in areas near district boundaries where armed clashes and attacks on civilians have been reported.