Three killed in fresh Manipur violence

Three villagers were killed in an exchange of fire between two groups at the tribal-dominated Thowai village in Manipur's Ukhrul district Friday, police said.

Security forces rushed to the area following the incident, which happened after a lull in violence for several days.

A police official said sounds of heavy gunfire were heard from the village early Friday morning. The firing stopped only after security forces reached the area.


The deceased were identified as Jamkhogin Haokip, Thangkhokai Haokip and Hollenson Baite.

On August 5, three people, including an elderly man and his son, were killed at Kwakta Lamkhai village in Bishnupur district.

Meanwhile, ten Kuki MLAs, including seven belonging to the ruling BJP, petitioned union home minister Amit Shah for his intervention, alleging that essential medical and other supplies to the Hill areas in Churachandpur, Chandel and Tengnoupal districts continued to be blocked by the Meitei community.

"We have agreed to your suggestions regarding our people showing the first good will gesture despite being victims of ethnic cleansing in Manipur and accordingly have worked to convince our people to open the economic blockade on National highway-2," they wrote in a letter, claiming that still supplies to the Hill continued to be blocked by the Meitei community.