Imphal: Security restrictions have been imposed in Manipur’s Kamjong district following overnight armed clashes between suspected Kuki and Naga groups and the fatal shooting of a civilian woman by security personnel.
The Kamjong district administration on Saturday morning prohibited gatherings of five or more people within a 400-metre radius of the Chassad Police Gate Junction.
The order, issued by the District Magistrate under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), cited threats to public peace.
It also prohibited carrying weapons, firearms, sticks and stones. Security personnel, duty magistrates, essential service providers and those with special permits are exempt from the restrictions.
According to local reports, gunfire began around 8 pm on Friday and continued into Saturday. Unofficial sources reported that at least four houses were set ablaze during the clashes, but the administration has yet to verify the reports.
No casualties from the clashes have been officially confirmed.
In a separate incident on Friday night, personnel from an India Reserve Battalion (IRB) detachment stationed at Chassad allegedly shot dead a Kuki civilian woman, identified as Domkhonei Touthang.
According to local reports, the shooting took place around 9.35 pm during a public demonstration against the alleged arbitrary arrest of Chassad village volunteers. Touthang, a mother of five, died from her injuries about five minutes later.
Local sources blamed IRB personnel for the shooting and alleged that the National Socialist Council of Nagalim-Isak Muivah (NSCN-IM) was involved in the wider unrest.
Security authorities and district officials have not issued formal statements on the circumstances of the shooting or the identities of those involved.