Once again the Indian state of Manipur has been heated up by ethnic conflict. On Sunday (April 28) morning, a massive clash broke out between the two sides at Kotruk village, adjacent to Kangpokpi district in West Imphal. Panic has once again spread in the state due to this incident. Indian media NDTV reported this news.
A group of gunmen entered Kautruk village in the Imphal valley from neighboring hills of Kangpokpi district in the morning, police said. As soon as they entered, they started shooting at houses and villagers. Village security volunteers also reciprocated. The two sides exchanged fire for some time. During this time, the women, children and elderly people of the village were evacuated to a safe place by the volunteer members.
Locally-made mortar shells known as pumpi were also fired at this time, causing panic among the residents, a police official said.
He said that the police and security personnel went to the spot to bring the situation under control.
As soon as the polls ended on Friday, Manipur was in turmoil. Two members of the Central Army CRPF were killed in an attack by Kuki militants at Naransena in Bishnupur district late that night.
In May last year, Kautruk village erupted in communal violence. More than 200 people were killed in violence between the Meiti and Kuki communities on 3 May. Thousands of people have become homeless.
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