1 week Ago By TOI News Desk
11 militants killed in gunfight with security forces in Manipur NEW DELHI: An indefinite curfew has been imposed across the entire Jiribam district, effective immediately, in response to escalating violence and to maintain order, as confirmed by Manipur authorities. This measure follows a deadly clash between suspected militants and the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) in the Jakurador Karong area of Borobekra sub-division. On Monday afternoon, eleven suspected militants were killed in a fierce firefight with CRPF personnel after the armed assailants launched an assault, setting fire to local shops and homes and attacking a nearby CRPF camp.
The militants initiated the attack on Borobekra police station around 2:30 p.m., then advanced towards the Jakurador Karong area, escalating tensions in a region already affected by recent clashes.
Two CRPF personnel were injured in the exchange of fire, with one in critical condition who was evacuated to Silchar Medical College in Assam for urgent treatment. According to officials, the firefight lasted approximately 40 to 45 minutes, during which security forces retaliated heavily to bring the situation under control. In a post on X, the Manipur Police shared details of the incident, stating, “The CRPF Post located at Jakuradhor and Borobekra Police Station (located nearby), Jiribam District were attacked by armed militants.
The security forces retaliated strongly.” The post also mentioned that following the gunfight, the bodies of ten militants, along with weapons including AK-47 rifles, SLRs, and an RPG, were recovered from the site. Authorities are investigating reports of five civilians who remain unaccounted for.
It is unclear if they were abducted or went into hiding amidst the violence. The bodies of the slain militants were taken to Borobekra police station for identification and investigation. The attack underscores the ongoing tension in Manipur, where violence has surged in recent months.
Jiribam has seen frequent skirmishes since violence first erupted in June, leaving communities on edge. Last week, the killing of a 31-year-old woman in Zairon Hmar village added to these tensions, and clashes across the region have continued despite efforts to restore order. Manipur’s Director General of Police (DGP) Rajiv Singh emphasized the government’s commitment to peace, citing cooperation with security forces and local communities to address these "challenging times.
" He noted a reduction in violence since the ethnic tensions began on May 3, 2023, after protests led by the All Tribal Students Union (ATSU) sparked widespread unrest over Meitei community demands for Scheduled Tribe status. Efforts toward peace were made recently when leaders from the Kuki, Meitei, and Naga communities engaged in dialogue in New Delhi. The Ministry of Home Affairs facilitated the discussions, bringing together MLAs and ministers who jointly called for unity and peace, marking a crucial step toward healing and stability in Manipur.
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