IMPHAL: Over 200 people from the Meitei community have been evacuated and relocated to a newly established relief camp following the outbreak of violence sparked by the killing of a man allegedly by militants in Jiribam district of Manipur.
The displaced individuals are now being sheltered at the Jiri Sports Complex after their homes in the villages of Lamtai Khunou, Dibong Khunou, Nunkhal, and Begra were burned down by suspected militants.
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Most of the affected villagers lived more than 30 kilometres from Jiribam town, an official reported.
In response to the violence, additional security personnel have been deployed to the area.
The Manipur police have also directed state police commando personnel stationed in Imphal Valley to proceed to Jiribam immediately to reinforce security efforts.
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The unrest began on Thursday (June 06) evening when a 59-year-old man, Soibam Saratkumar Singh, from one community was allegedly killed by militants from another community.
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Singh had gone missing after leaving for his farm in the morning, and his body was later discovered with wounds inflicted by a sharp object, according to police sources.
Following the killing, enraged locals set an abandoned structure on fire in retaliation.
A protest was also staged in front of the Jiribam police station, where residents demanded the return of their licensed firearms, which had been confiscated during the elections.
Jiribam, known for its diverse ethnic composition—including Meiteis, Muslims, Nagas, Kukis, and non-Manipuris—had previously remained untouched by the ethnic strife that has plagued Manipur since May last year.
The ongoing conflict between the Meiteis of the Imphal Valley and the hill-based Kukis in Manipur has resulted in the deaths of over 200 people and displaced thousands more.