3 killed in fresh violence in strife-hit Manipur

Imphal: Three people were killed in fresh clashes between armed groups in Manipur's Kamjong and Ukhrul districts, officials said on Saturday.

A 22-year-old man and a 42-year-old woman were killed in the Kuki-dominated Chassad village in Naga-majority Kamjong district, they said.

The woman, a mother of five, was shot near her neck on Friday night and died within minutes, officials said.


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Her killing triggered an exchange of fire between Kuki and Naga armed groups, which continued on Saturday morning. The man was killed in the ensuing clashes, during which 10 houses were also torched, they added.

District authorities imposed prohibitory orders under Section 162 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) within a 400-metre radius of Chassad police gate junction to prevent further violence. The restrictions prohibit the assembly of five or more people.

In a separate incident in Ukhrul district, a 40-year-old man, Sandeep Rai, was shot dead near Chepu Yaolen after suspected militants opened fire at his vehicle. He died inside the four-wheeler he was driving, officials said.

A heavy exchange of fire was also reported between armed groups at Makui Ashang and Tapon in Kangpokpi district.

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More than 40 people have been killed and dozens of houses torched since violence between Kuki and Naga communities broke out in February this year.

The violence has largely been concentrated in Ukhrul, Kamjong, Kangpokpi, Tamenglong and Noney districts, as well as parts of Senapati district.