Photo Courtesy: nenow
Imphal: A violent standoff in Manipur’s Noney district left one Naga Village Guard dead and five others injured on Wednesday morning. The confrontation erupted during a security operation at Bitiang village, involving roughly 300 personnel from the CRPF’s CoBRA unit.
The deceased was identified as 22-year-old Lanbimei Riamei, a resident of Longmai Bazar. Two CoBRA personnel, Head Constable Radheshyam and Constable Jitendrakumar, sustained injuries during the firefight. Three additional village guards were also wounded. The injured guards were transported to Noney District Hospital, while the security personnel were moved to Imphal for specialized medical care.
The Joint Tribe Council (JTC) of Manipur quickly declared an indefinite emergency shutdown across territories inhabited by the Inpui, Liangmai, Rongmei, and Zeme communities. The blockade targets national highways, railway routes, and national infrastructure projects. Medical services, schools, electricity, telecommunications, and PHED water supplies remain exempt.
The JTC alleged the CoBRA unit acted in collusion with Zeliangrong United Front-J forces during the raid. The council further cited the unsolved May 13 abduction and murder of six Naga civilians, including two pastors, in Leilon Vaiphei. JTC leaders demand the federal government act immediately. The council stated: "The shutdown would continue until the Government of India takes decisive and meaningful action by arresting those responsible for the killings, halting alleged hostile operations against Naga villages and restoring justice."
Local women and youth gathered near the Bitiang site to protest the operation, accusing security forces of using excessive force against civilians protecting their own ancestral lands. While the CRPF and local authorities have not issued an official statement, a widespread search for unauthorized weaponry is ongoing in the Noney district.
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