Photo Courtesy: ukhrultimes
Imphal: Three individuals were wounded during a lengthy armed confrontation near Leilon Vaiphei village in Manipur's Kangpokpi district on Wednesday. The exchange of gunfire reportedly began around 6 a.m. in an area situated between Leilon Vaiphei and Konsakhul villages.
The injured men, identified as 18-year-olds Genlenmang Vaiphei and Paogoulal Chongloi, alongside 20-year-old Lunliandan Vaiphei, were initially treated at a military hospital in Leimakhong. Due to the severity of their bullet wounds, they were later transferred to the Regional Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS) in Imphal under heavy security escort.
The incident sparked immediate friction, with conflicting reports regarding the origins of the violence. The L. Munlui village authority claimed the event was an attack by the National Socialist Council of Nagalim (NSCN-IM) and alleged that gunfire originated from a CRPF bunker. Other reports suggested the fighting involved Naga Village Guards responding after farmers were fired upon.
Tensions shifted to the RIMS campus as news of the admissions spread. Large crowds gathered to protest the presence of the injured men, whom they labeled as Kuki militants. Security forces eventually used mock bombs to disperse demonstrators who had breached the hospital compound.
The All Naga Students' Association Manipur (ANSAM) led opposition to the treatment of the men. ANSAM leader T.P. Dining questioned the involvement of state authorities, stating: "Why the Kuki militants are being guarded and brought by the Indian security forces into the hospital."
While security personnel remain on high alert to prevent further unrest, authorities have not issued an official statement regarding the identities of the groups involved in the initial clash.
Comments