Four Dead, Several Injured in Manipur Violence; Three Missing

Imphal, October 19 (Daily Kiran) : Multiple violent incidents in Manipur’s Imphal East and Thoubal districts have resulted in the deaths of four individuals, with several others injured and three reported missing.

On Monday, a group of wood collectors in Imphal East came under fire from unidentified militants, leading to the deaths of two people and injuries to two others. According to police, around ten individuals had ventured into a hilly forest area near Nongsham village to gather wood when the attackers ambushed them. While two people died instantly, another victim succumbed to their injuries later at a private hospital in Imphal.

The deceased have been identified as Arubam Ronil (55), Larenlakpam Inaoabi (44), and Sushil (32), all residents of Nongsham. Following the attack, three additional individuals went missing. Efforts to recover the bodies are ongoing, with additional security forces deployed to the area to conduct extensive searches for the missing persons and apprehend the assailants.

In a separate incident, violence erupted between members of two communities in Thoubal district, resulting in one death and multiple injuries. Authorities imposed restrictions in the affected areas following the clashes.

A police officer from Imphal reported that the violence broke out on Sunday night in Khongabok village, located about 25 kilometers south of Imphal. Tensions escalated when some individuals allegedly threw stones at a field where a music event was taking place. The situation quickly deteriorated into a stone-throwing confrontation between the two communities, leading to arson of several homes and vehicles.

Amid the chaos, unknown assailants opened fire, critically injuring one individual. The victim, identified as Laishram Rakesh, was rushed to a nearby hospital but ultimately succumbed to his injuries.

Authorities are continuing to monitor the situation closely as tensions remain high in the region.