GUWAHATI: Violence returned to Manipur on Thursday, leaving at least two people dead and as many wounded after a dawn attack involving assailants described by the Army as “armed rioters” on a village on the Imphal West-Kangpokpi border invited retaliation by forces. The villagers mobilised themselves to fight off the attack even as an Assam Rifles unit battled the intruders, who came with automatic weapons, officials said.
Late evening, hundreds gathered in Imphal to protest the two deaths, forcing police to use tear gas. The mob then assembled in front of BJP’s regional office, 200-300m from CM Biren Singh’s residence, before a police contingent arrived to chase them away.
Villagers woken up by the barrage of gunshots targeting the Haraothel hamlet around 5.30am had mobilised themselves to fight off the attack even as an Assam Rifles unit was battling the intruders, who came with automatic weapons, officials said.
“Troops responded in a calibrated manner to prevent any collateral damage. Swift action resulted in cessation of firing,” the Army said, pointing out that there was also “interference from a mob” during the operation.
The deceased were identified as Nilakamal Boicha and Konsam Herojit Singh, who died in hospital. The injured duo are Yumnam Heramani Singh and Loitongbam Milan Singh, police said later.
Later in the day, “Emas (mothers)” at Imphal’s famous Khwairamband Ema Market gathered to protest the continuing violence and deaths in the state. They threatened not to allow cremation of any more victims until the state government took decisive steps to end the unrest. Police fired tear gas to disperse the women.
Intermittent firing was reported in the evening at Bethel village, south of Imphal’s National Sports University.
The last major instance of violence was on June 14, when nine people were killed at Aigejang village in Kangpokpi district. All of this has happened despite a huge deployment of the Army, Assam Rifles, central paramilitary units and state armed police.
Late evening, hundreds gathered in Imphal to protest the two deaths, forcing police to use tear gas. The mob then assembled in front of BJP’s regional office, 200-300m from CM Biren Singh’s residence, before a police contingent arrived to chase them away.
Villagers woken up by the barrage of gunshots targeting the Haraothel hamlet around 5.30am had mobilised themselves to fight off the attack even as an Assam Rifles unit was battling the intruders, who came with automatic weapons, officials said.
“Troops responded in a calibrated manner to prevent any collateral damage. Swift action resulted in cessation of firing,” the Army said, pointing out that there was also “interference from a mob” during the operation.
The deceased were identified as Nilakamal Boicha and Konsam Herojit Singh, who died in hospital. The injured duo are Yumnam Heramani Singh and Loitongbam Milan Singh, police said later.
Later in the day, “Emas (mothers)” at Imphal’s famous Khwairamband Ema Market gathered to protest the continuing violence and deaths in the state. They threatened not to allow cremation of any more victims until the state government took decisive steps to end the unrest. Police fired tear gas to disperse the women.
Intermittent firing was reported in the evening at Bethel village, south of Imphal’s National Sports University.
The last major instance of violence was on June 14, when nine people were killed at Aigejang village in Kangpokpi district. All of this has happened despite a huge deployment of the Army, Assam Rifles, central paramilitary units and state armed police.