Imphal - In recent episodes of violence, at least three individuals lost their lives in Manipur's Bishnupur district, which occurred late on Friday. The victims were reportedly members of the Meitei community in the Kwakta region.
Alongside the fatalities, a number of houses belonging to the Kuki community were also set ablaze during the unfolding violence.
This led to a bout of heavy gunfire erupting in Bishnupur's Kwakta area between the Kuki community and security forces. Manipur Police and Commandos were engaged in retaliation.
According to the Bishnupur Police, three members of the Meitei community were fatally injured, while multiple homes belonging to the Kuki community were deliberately ignited.
Amidst the turmoil, a Manipur commando sustained a head injury from the exchange of gunfire. The situation in Bishnupur remains precarious following the latest violent incidents.
The injured commando was promptly admitted to Bishnupur Hospital. Paramilitary forces have been dispatched to the region.
Police sources revealed that a few individuals breached the buffer zone separating the Meitei areas and opened fire.
This incident occurred approximately two days after clashes ensued between armed forces and Meitei community protesters, leaving 17 people injured in Manipur's Bishnupur district on Thursday.
The occurrence prompted authorities in Imphal East and Imphal West to retract earlier curfew relaxations, reimposing restrictions during the day as a safety precaution.
In response to the protests in the Kangvai and Phougakchao areas of the district, armed forces and Manipur Police employed tear gas shells to disperse the demonstrators.
The trigger for this conflict lies in the demand by the Meitei community for Scheduled Tribe (ST) status, which led to ethnic violence nearly three months ago. The tension escalated on May 3 when a 'Tribal Solidarity March' was organized in the hill districts as a response to the Meitei community's demand.
Meiteis comprise about 53 percent of Manipur's population and primarily inhabit the Imphal Valley, whereas tribes including Nagas and Kukis constitute 40 percent and are predominantly situated in the hill districts. The turmoil has already claimed over 160 lives and left hundreds injured.