IMPHAL: The unrest in Manipur continues to claim more lives, even as violence and shootouts affect the law and order situation in the state.
In Imphal, multiple incidents of shooting at civilians and battles between militants and security forces throughout the day on Sunday resulted in at least two deaths and 12 injuries.
At Phayeng in the Imphal West district, suspected Kuki militants opened fire, killing one person and injuring another with bullet wounds, police authorities told the media.
The army and paramilitary forces started conducting operations to de-arm neighbourhoods in an effort to bring about peace, which is when the most recent conflicts started, according to officials.
While speaking with reporters at the state secretariat, the chief minister asserted that the most recent conflict "is not between communities but between militants and security forces."
Meanwhile, the Manipur chief minister announced on Sunday that security forces have killed over 40 armed insurgents since they launched an operation to restore peace to Manipur, which has been plagued by ethnic violence. The militants set fire to homes and opened fire on bystanders.
Armed terrorists have occasionally been seen firing AK-47s, M-16s, and sniper rifles at bystanders, according to Singh. Security forces launched counterattacks with these militants in mind.
"The terrorists have been using M-16 and AK-47 assault rifles and sniper guns against civilians. They came to many villages to burn down homes. We have started taking very strong action against them with the help of the army and other security forces. We have got reports some 40 terrorists have been shot dead," the Manipur CM said.
The chief minister exhorted the community to "have faith in the government and support the security forces" and to refrain from obstructing the passage of security officers.
"We have experienced hardship for so long and we will never allow the state to disintegrate," Singh said. The state police, according to Singh, have been conducting operations in 38 sensitive locations.
Additionally, due to recent violence, the district authorities in Imphal's East and West districts have reduced the 11-hour curfew relaxation period to just six and a half hours.
The state-wide internet service ban in Manipur has been extended by the local administration for an additional five days, till May 31. The extension occurs in the midst of reported fires and sporadic acts of violence.
In response to a "Tribal Solidarity March" that was staged in the hill districts on May 3 to oppose the Meitei community's quest for Scheduled Tribe (ST) classification, ethnic hostilities that have claimed over 75 lives began in Manipur.
A succession of smaller agitations over the eviction of Kuki people from reserve forest area had raised tension before the violence.
Most Meiteis dwell in the Imphal Valley and makeup around 53% of the population of Manipur. The hill districts are home to the tribal Nagas and Kukis, who make up another 40% of the population.
To restore order to the Northeastern state, nearly 10,000 soldiers from over 140 columns of the Indian Army and Assam Rifles, as well as those from other paramilitary groups, had to be deployed.
To restore order in the Northeastern state, nearly 10,000 soldiers from over 140 columns of the Indian Army and Assam Rifles had to be mobilised, in addition to those from other paramilitary groups.
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