New Delhi: Manipur’s Imphal East district witnessed a series of gun and bomb attacks on Sunday, launched by armed men from hill areas within the Lamlai assembly constituency, news agency PTI reported, quoting police officials.
In response, security forces including the Army, BSF, and local police retaliated, leading to intense exchanges of gunfire in the Sanasabi, Sabungkhok Khunou, and Thamnapokpi areas. The escalation has heightened tensions, particularly in surrounding villages, as farmers are now unable to tend to their paddy fields due to ongoing firing from elevated positions overlooking the low-lying areas of Sanasabi.
Woman attacked in Jiribam
Meanwhile, another disturbing incident was reported in Jiribam district, where a woman was allegedly assaulted and then an attempt was made to burn her alive. Police have began investigations into both incidents, amid suspicions that these attacks are deliberate attempts to destabilise the region once again.
Manipur has a complex history of violence rooted in ethnic and political conflicts. Long-standing tensions exist among the Kuki, Naga, and Meitei communities, with the issue of Manipur often tied to matters of autonomy, cultural identity, and self-governance. Since the 1990s, several militant groups have emerged, advocating for the protection of ethnic identities and some calling for secession. This has resulted in frequent episodes of violence, armed clashes, and military operations across the state.
Additional forces have been deployed in the affected areas to prevent further escalation, according to reports.
