Violence flared anew in Manipur on Sunday, shattering a fragile peace and displacing civilians caught in the crossfire. The fresh gunfight erupted along the ethnic fault lines dividing the state, raising fears of a wider escalation.
The incident unfolded before dawn in the volatile border area between the Meitei-dominated Imphal West district and Kuki-Zo-dominated Kangpokpi district.
According to police officials in Koutruk village, Imphal West, heavily armed volunteers from the village came under indiscriminate fire from across the border in the adjoining hills.
"Dozens of armed men opened fire on Koutruk village," reported a police officer. Bullets reportedly pierced the walls of homes, sending panic through the village.
Fearing for their safety, women, children and the elderly were swiftly evacuated to safer areas.
The situation escalated as villagers, acting as armed volunteers, retaliated, triggering a fierce gunfight. Security forces rushed to the scene to quell the violence.
Koutruk village has become a focal point of the recent upsurge in violence that began in early May.
Frequent exchanges of fire between village volunteers from the warring communities have plagued the region.
This latest eruption comes amid a string of violent incidents that threaten to destabilise Manipur.
A day prior, a brazen attack on security forces saw a blast rip through a CRPF outpost in Bishnupur district, killing two personnel and injuring two others.
Just four days earlier, three powerful blasts damaged a bridge on National Highway 2 in Kangpokpi district, disrupting crucial traffic flow. No group has claimed responsibility for the attacks.
These incidents cast a long shadow over the recently concluded state elections on Friday.
Polling in both phases, especially in the Inner Manipur constituency, was marred by violence, with reports of gunfire, damaged voting machines, and intimidation of election officials.
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