Fresh violence erupted in Manipur in which an Army soldier was injured in a firing incident on the intervening night of Saturday and Sunday. Clashes were also reported in other districts of the state.
Less than 24 hours before, the state observed Uprising Unity Day, traditionally meant to foster unity among the people of Manipur. The Uprising Unity Day is observed annually to pay homage and show respect to the 18 individuals who lost their lives during the June 18 agitation in 2001.
An Army soldier sustained gunshot wounds after armed miscreants resorted to unprovoked firing from Kanto Sabal towards Chingmang village. The incident happened in Imphal West. He was immediately rushed to a military hospital in Leimakhong and his condition is stable.
𝘼𝙧𝙢𝙮 𝙎𝙤𝙡𝙙𝙞𝙚𝙧 𝙄𝙣𝙟𝙪𝙧𝙚𝙙 𝙞𝙣 𝙐𝙣𝙥𝙧𝙤𝙫𝙤𝙠𝙚𝙙 𝙁𝙞𝙧𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙞𝙣 𝙄𝙢𝙥𝙝𝙖𝙡 𝙒𝙚𝙨𝙩
Armed miscreants resorted to unprovoked firing from Kanto Sabal towards Chingmang village during night of 18/19 June. Army Columns resorted to controlled retaliatory fire… pic.twitter.com/KFtF7jWnwu— SpearCorps.IndianArmy (@Spearcorps) June 19, 2023
During the incident, miscreants also set three houses on fire in Chinmang village, PTI reported. The fire was later doused by the Army.
“Armed miscreants resorted to unprovoked firing from Kanto Sabal towards Chingmang village during the night of 18/19 June. Army Columns resorted to controlled retaliatory fire, keeping in view the presence of villagers in the area. One Army Soldier sustained a gun shot Wound, evacuated to Military Hospital Leimakhong and is stable. Additional columns inducted in the area & joint operations are in progress,” an official statement read.
Clashes were also reported along the borders of Imphal and Kangpokpi districts in strife-torn Manipur. At least two establishments were destroyed by unidentified miscreants allegedly from the Kuki community in Sekmai region.
Firing was also reported in Hengjang, a Kuki village on the other side, sources said.
Manipur has been plagued by violence for over a month and a half and more than 100 people have lost their lives in the ethnic violence. After initial large-scale clashes from May 3 to 5, Manipur has seen a second major wave of violence, primarily in the form of arson and shootings in areas between the Kuki-dominated hills and the Meitei-dominated valley.
Several houses have been burnt and properties have been destroyed in recent violence and multiple incidents of mob build-up and attempted vandalism and arson have been reported.
On June 17, two civilians were injured as mobs clashed with security forces overnight in Imphal. Attempts were made to torch the houses of BJP leaders.
A mob also attempted vandalism at the residence of state BJP president Adhikarimayum Sharda Devi in Imphal West at midnight, but it was prevented by the Army and RAF.
In separate incidents, automatic gunfire was reported from Kwakta in Bishnupur district of Manipur and Kangvai in Churachandpur district throughout the night.
Miscreants have burnt down houses of BJP leaders, including those of Union Minister of State for External Affairs RK Ranjan Singh and Manipur minister Nemcha Kipgen.
Recently, five people were killed in incidents of firing and arson in Aigejang village in Manipur’s Kangpokpi district.
Mizoram Chief Minister Zoramthanga on Sunday said his Manipur counterpart N Biren Singh has spoken to him over the phone and sought his help to restore peace in the neighbouring state.
During the telephonic conversation, Singh also requested him to take measures for the safety of Meitei people living in Mizoram, the chief minister said.
Joint Committee for Peace Khwairamband Keithel Imphal said, “On 3rd May violence erupted in Manipur. Unfortunately, the violence started at the border and many houses were burned. It is possible that properties will be re-established, but what about lost lives? That is why we have come to Delhi to meet PM Modi.”
“We are very stressed as both communities used to live in peace since 1950. We want to dive deep into the motive of violence and from where this violence is coming,” an official of the peace-making committee said.
The Congress on Sunday criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi for not speaking on the Manipur crisis in his ‘Mann Ki Baat’ radio broadcast, and asked when will he say or do something about the “unending violence” in the northeastern state. Following the recent spurts of violence, the Opposition asked Prime Minister Narendra Modi to make an appeal for peace and call an all-party meeting on the ethnic violence in Manipur before he leaves for his foreign tour on June 20.
Meanwhile, the RSS has also condemned the ongoing violence in Manipur and appealed to the government, including local administration, police, security forces and central agencies to take every possible step to restore peace immediately.
