Noney: One member of the Naga Village Guard (NVG) was killed and five others, including two security personnel, were injured during an exchange of fire in Manipur’s Noney district on Wednesday, police said.
The deceased has been identified as Lanbilung Riamei (22), son of Kadirang Riamei of Longmai Noney Bazaar. He later succumbed to his injuries.
According to a police source, two CoBRA commandos of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF)—Head Constable Radheshyam and Constable (General Duty) Jitendra Kumar—sustained minor injuries. Three NVG members also suffered serious bullet injuries, although their identities were yet to be ascertained.
The injured are likely to be evacuated to Imphal for further medical treatment.
According to local sources, the CRPF’s CoBRA unit launched an operation early on Wednesday at Bitiang village under the Tupul subdivision, where an NVG training camp is reportedly located.
An exchange of fire broke out during the operation, resulting in the death of one NVG member and injuries to five others.
Sources also said communication networks in the Bitiang-Tupul area were severely disrupted, causing inconvenience to residents. Heavy security deployment, including CoBRA personnel, continues in the Bitiang area following the incident.
Meanwhile, following reports of the operation, the Working Committee of the Joint Tribe Council (JTC), Manipur, announced an immediate and indefinite shutdown across areas inhabited by the Inpui, Liangmai, Rongmei and Zeme communities.
The council had earlier alleged that the operation targeted members of the Naga Village Guard and demanded action from the Government of India.
Essential services, including healthcare, educational institutions, electricity, water supply and telecommunications, have been exempted from the shutdown.
Police and security agencies have not yet issued a detailed official statement on the circumstances leading to the exchange of fire.
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