At least 5 killed as ethnic violence flares in Manipur’s Jiribam

At least five people including a civilian were killed as violence flared on Sep 7 between two warring ethnic communities in Manipur’s Jiribam district, officials said, adding a “robust anti-drone system” has been deployed to counter the attacks on civilians.

Amid violence, the State government ordered all schools to remain shut “for the safety of the students and teachers”.

Fresh violence broke out after Y Kulachandra, 63, a Meitei tribe man, was shot dead by suspected Kuki militants around 5 am while asleep in Ningthem Khunou area.

“Three armed assailants entered our home and shot my husband dead before fleeing the scene. I was making breakfast when the incident occurred,” a news website quoted Y Bemcha, Kulachandra’s wife as saying.

The civilian killing in Ningthem Khunou triggered a gunfight in the Nunchapi area of Jiribam district leading to the killing of three suspected Kuki militants and an armed Meitei man.

“A civilian was shot dead while he was sleeping. Four armed men were killed in a subsequent exchange of fire between Meitei and Kuki militants,” Krishna Kumar, Deputy Commissioner of Jiribam told Press Trust of India.

Rocket attacks killed a man at the home of late former chief minister Mairenbam Koireng and destroyed two structures in Bishnupur district on Sep 6.

Meanwhile, in the wake of the recent spate of drone and rocket attacks on civilians, the security forces deployed anti-drone systems on Sep 8.
“A robust anti-drone system has been deployed and police are in the process of buying additional weapons to counter the attacks on civilians,” said K Kabib, Inspector General of Police (Intelligence).

"The state force is closely monitoring the situation and senior officers have been deployed on the ground,” he added.

Police recovered three bodies in military fatigues from the site of the heavy exchange of fire.

“The identities of the three miscreants are yet to be established. The situation in Jiribam is being controlled with the help of additional security personnel,” said K Kabib.

Two police personnel including an inspector were hurt in an ambush on Sep 6 night in the Khabeisoi area of Imphal East district.
“The injured personnel, now out of danger, were part of an operation to prevent theft attempts at the armory of 7 Manipur Rifles in Khabeisoi,” Kabib added.

A court recently ordered the state government to share the benefits enjoyed by the Kukis with the Meitis, which fuelled tension between the two communities.

A state of 3.2 million people, Manipur has been rocked by sporadic violence for over a year between the predominantly Hindu-majority Meitei and the Christian Kukis communities over government jobs, education quotas, and the economic benefits.

At least 225 people have been killed and around 60,000 displaced since the tensions erupted last year.