Imphal: At least nine people were killed and 10 injured when suspected miscreants attacked a village in the Khamenlok area of ethnic-strife hit Manipur, police said on Wednesday.
The armed miscreants surrounded the Kuki village of Khamenlok area bordering Imphal East district and Kangpoki district and launched the attack at around 1 am, officials said.
In the gun battle that ensued both sides suffered casualties and injuries.
The area lies along the borders of the Meitei-dominated Imphal East district and tribal-majority Kangpokpi district.
Meanwhile, the district authorities have cut short the curfew relaxation hours from the usual 5 am to 6 pm in Imphal East district and Imphal West district to 5 am to 9 am. Curfew remains in force in 11 of the 16 districts of Manipur, while internet services are suspended in the entire northeastern state.
Several of those injured were rushed to Imphal for treatment. Some of those killed in the violence have cut marks on their bodies and multiple bullet injuries, sources said.
The incident comes as a major setback amid efforts to restore peace in the state, which has remained tense for over a month now due to ethnic clashes between the Meitei and Kuki communities.
On Monday night nine people were injured in a gunfight in the Khamenlok area in exchange of fire between miscreants and village volunteers. The security forces also exchanged fire with armed miscreants at Phougakchao Ikhai in Bishnupur district on Tuesday, they said.
At least 100 people lost their lives and 310 others were injured in the ethnic violence between Meitei and Kuki community people in Manipur that broke out a month ago. Army and para-military personnel were deployed to restore peace in the state.
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Clashes first broke out on May 3 after a ‘Tribal Solidarity March’ was organised in the hill districts to protest against the Meitei community’s demand for Scheduled Tribe (ST) status.
Meiteis account for about 53 per cent of Manipur’s population and live mostly in the Imphal Valley.
Tribals Nagas and Kukis constitute another 40 per cent of the population and reside in the hill districts.
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Lack of political honesty may be one of the immediate reason for outbursting violence.