Imphal: At least 10 people have been killed and several others injured in a fresh wave of violence across several Manipur districts, reports said on Sunday.
The clashes involved Kuki militants and Naga village guards, adding to the violence that has continued in the state since May 2023.
The violence intensified in Kamjong district after an ambush on an Indian Reserve Battalion (IRB) patrol team in Chassad on Friday night. A gunfight that followed left a woman who was assisting the militants dead.
The militants later attacked Naga civilians, setting nine houses on fire at Kamjong headquarters and burning more than 23 houses opposite the Chassad police station.
Retaliatory action by Naga village guards left two guards injured, while two Kuki militants were reportedly killed.
In a separate attack near Chassad, a group of Kuki militants from India and Myanmar reportedly targeted Ningchou village with bombs and firearms. They killed two civilians before retreating across the Myanmar border.
Attacks were also reported in Kangpokpi and Ukhrul districts. In Ukhrul, a civilian from the Nepali community was shot dead while travelling to his farmland along the Imphal-Ukhrul road.
In Kangpokpi, three Naga village guards were killed in an attack on Makui Ashang Naga village.
Reports also said one of the victims was beheaded. In another ambush at Tapon Liangmai village, one civilian was killed and two others were injured.
Later in the day, militants opened fire on Ponringlong Naga village and set around 10 houses on fire in Charoi Pandongba Khunthak, forcing residents to flee.
Security forces from the state and the Centre have deployed additional teams to vulnerable areas. However, the situation in the affected districts remains tense.