Imphal: Many villagers residing in the low-lying areas in fear for their lives fled leaving their houses when armed men launched a fresh unprovoked firing from the higher hill range at Thamnapokpi in the interdistrict of Imphal East and Kangpokpi, Manipur.
The renewed violence has been reported at around 4 am on Tuesday. Tuesday’s attack was the first time to have unprovoked firing when the ethnic violence entered 18 months on November 3, 2024.
Lairenlakpam Pramo, Meira Paibi leader of the Thamnapokpi village said that the armed miscreants opened firing several rounds towards her village.
Two bullets hit the wall of a house belonging to one Ngangom Tampha, 70, at Thamnapokpi Mayai Leikai at around 4 am on Tuesday.
The unprovoked firing has been started from the higher hill range of Uyok in Kangpokpi district.
In fear, many villagers took shelter at the safer places when the attacks were made, she added.
Concerning the Village Defence Volunteers, she said that there was no retaliation of them towards the attackers on Tuesday.
On November 3, 2024, the ethnic violence entered 18 months with the loss of lives to 232 people both from the Meiteis and Kuki-Zo communities and 60,000 people have been displaced.
At least 17 security personnel both from the centre and state forces also lost their lives.
Over 1,000 individuals were injured, and 32 are missing.
Around 11,133 houses were burnt and 386 religious structures including temples and churches were vandalized.