3 dead, houses burnt in fresh violence in Manipur’s Bishnupur district
At least three people died in fresh incidents of violence that were reported in Manipur’s Bishnupur district late on Friday.
Manipur: At least three people were reported dead in a recent outbreak of violence that occurred in Manipur’s Bishnupur district late on Friday. The deceased individuals are said to be from the Meitei community residing in the Kwakta area.
In the fresh incidents of violence, several houses belonging to the Kuki community were also set ablaze. According to Bishnupur Police, three members of the Meitei community lost their lives, while multiple houses of the Kuki community were engulfed in flames.
Police sources reveal that a group of people crossed the buffer zone and opened fire in the Meitei areas. The buffer zone, safeguarded by central forces, is located over 2 km ahead of the Kwakta area in Bishnupur district.
Authorities have swiftly responded, with police forces deployed at the scene.
This recent escalation follows clashes that occurred two days ago, resulting in 17 injuries, during confrontations between armed forces and Meitei community protesters in Bishnupur district. In response, the authorities of Imphal East and Imphal West have withdrawn earlier curfew relaxations and imposed daytime restrictions as a precautionary measure.
During the previous incident, armed forces and Manipur Police had used tear gas shells to disperse protesters in the Kangvai and Phougakchao areas of the district. The confrontations arose when Meitei women attempted to cross a barricaded zone and were halted by the Assam Rifles and the Rapid Action Force (RAF), leading to stone-pelting and clashes between the community and armed forces.
