Imphal, June 11: Fresh violence rocked Manipur on Thursday after unidentified armed assailants attacked a village in Kamjong district, killing two people and seriously injuring two others.
The deceased have been identified as Letminlun Haokip (35) and Lunminthang Haokip (23), both residents of Kultuh village. The injured, identified as Jangkhomang (28) and Kamminlal (27), were rushed to hospital for treatment.
According to police, the attack took place around 4:30 am when armed miscreants allegedly equipped with sophisticated weapons opened fire on villagers.
“Around 4:30 am, armed assailants attacked the village. Two people were killed while two others sustained injuries and were shifted to hospital,” a police official said.
A suo motu case has been registered under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023, including charges related to murder, attempt to murder, rioting, arson and unlawful use of firearms, along with provisions of the Arms Act. Security forces have launched search operations to track down those responsible.
The latest attack comes amid heightened tensions in the state following the recovery of six bodies believed to be among Naga civilians abducted last month during a hostage crisis linked to ethnic tensions in Kangpokpi district.
The bodies were recovered on Wednesday after an intensive search operation involving around 450 personnel from the Manipur Police, CRPF and Assam Rifles.
The hostage crisis stemmed from the aftermath of a deadly ambush in Kotlen on May 13. Following the incident, 18 Nagas from Konsakhul village were allegedly taken hostage by Kuki groups at Leilon Vaiphei, triggering retaliatory detentions of Kuki civilians by Naga groups.
Authorities have stepped up security measures across sensitive areas as concerns grow over renewed violence in the troubled state.
