A 19-year-old woman was injured in gunfire between two armed groups in Ukhrul, Manipur, on Monday while working in a paddy field, police said, adding that the gunfight broke out around 1pm and continued until around 6.50pm.
Police said the incident occurred in Mongkut Chebu village between two armed groups suspected to be Kuki Zu village volunteers and Tangkul Naga village volunteers.
A Littan police officer told HT: “The fight reportedly took place between village volunteers from the two communities. We also heard automatic assault rifles, but we cannot confirm who was using them. We sent the rescue team (SSF personnel) stationed at the Littan police station. We did not receive any reports of casualties except the 19-year-old woman.”
Kuki CSO Action Committee, Ukrul (Kuki civic body) in a statement on Monday condemned the incident and called for immediate rescue of the villagers.
The statement claimed that armed Tangkul volunteers attacked residents of Mongkut Tchipo. It was claimed that the women were working in agricultural fields in the Lingai Mall agricultural area, 500-600 meters away from the residential area when they were subjected to random and targeted shooting.
Police said security forces evacuated the villagers safely.
The Kuki Authority called for the immediate and decisive intervention of the government and security agencies to cease the ongoing ceasefire without delay and ensure the safe rescue of all stranded villagers. Secure the Ukhrul Highway and its surrounding areas to prevent civilian casualties, and initiate urgent and comprehensive combing operations in specific locations, including Chikipong, Sao Lahu and Sinakaithil to disarm all armed elements responsible for such acts of terrorism.
In another incident, an angry mob attacked the residence of the Kuki-Zu Council (KZC) chief in response to a meeting held between Manipur Chief Minister Yomnam Khemchand Singh and KZC members.
Kemchand Singh and KZC members held a closed-door meeting in Guwahati, Assam on Saturday to discuss peaceful reconciliation in Manipur. However, some Kuki-Zu groups refused to hold talks with the Manipur government until their demand for “separate administration” was met.
Later, tensions escalated between some youths belonging to Kuki and Zomi after one of the Kuki youths reportedly entered the Zomi area. The tension continued until late at night, and security forces fired tear gas bombs to control the agitated crowds. In response, some of the agitators fired live bullets at the security forces, wounding a second Rapid Action Force Assistant Inspector. The injured RAF personnel were identified as Sonawani Sanjay. He was taken to a nearby health center and later referred to Imphal for further treatment.
The situation in Churachandpur is under control, but security forces are still deployed at the residence of KZC Chairman Hinlianthang Thanglit, officials said.
