Tension grips three Manipur hill districts

GUWAHATI: Manipur's three hill districts of Kamjong, Ukhrul and Kangpokpi remained tense on Sunday as the death toll in a fresh round of clashes involving the Naga and Kuki communities rose to nine. The fresh killings were reported in Kamjong, Ukhrul and Kangpokpi districts on Friday and Saturday, making the latest outbreak one of the deadliest episodes of violence in Manipur this year.

Chief minister Y Khemchand Singh appealed for peace and restraint as he directed the authorities concerned to take immediate steps to bring the situation under control. Security forces, including CAPF personnel and Manipur Police, have intensified patrolling and search operations in the three violence-hit districts to prevent further escalation, officials said. The fresh killings came a day after a 42-year-old woman was killed in Chassad village in Kamjong district on Friday. Prohibitory orders under Section 163 of the BNSS have been imposed in the village to prevent further violence.