Manipur Ethnic Clash: Renowned song writer amongst 4 injuries; Firing continues in peripheral areas

A renowned song writer, popularly known as LS Mangboi, was amongst the four individuals from the Kuki-Zo community who sustained bomb blast injuries during a heavy exchange of gunfires in the peripheral areas of Khoirentak and Lonphai/Chingphei under Churchandpur district, adjoining Bishnupur, on Wednesday.

Non-stop gun firing continued the whole day today since fresh violence broke out after few weeks of uneasy calm in the foothill areas where the Meitei and Kuki-Zo inhabited districts meet from Tuesday, resulting in lost of lives and several injuries.

As per sources, the majority Meitei armed groups such as Arambai Tenggol, Meitei Leepun and valley-based militant groups including the State police forces continued their attacks on Kuki-Zo areas of Khoirentak and Lonphai villages using sophisticated weapons including mortars. The Kuki-Zo village defenders/volunteers fought back and heavy exchange of gunfires ensued since yesterday till today.

In defending the land and people, four village volunteers sustained bomb blast injuries. The injured persons are identified as Lenminthang (27) S/o Samuel of Kangvai, Hemkholun (31) S/o Khupthang of Neihsiel Veng, LS Mangboi (50) S/o Ngamkholun of T. Muipha, and David Manglal, 34-yr (bullet injury).

Amongst the injured persons, LS Mangboi sustained critical bomb blast injury on his head and was refered to Guwahati for further treatment. He was brought in ambulance towards Aizawl at around 10:00 PM tonight from Lamka (Churachandpur) District Hospital. The other injured persons are treated in Lamka Hospital.

Sources also said that the death bodies of atleast two Meitei militants who died during the gunfight in the frontline areas remained unclaimed. However, this reporter cannot independently verify the veracity of the news.

As per reports from the valley-based media houses, 8 Meitei armed groups including 2 IRB personnel got injured during the firing incident. The injured persons were rushed to Imphal Hospitals for treatment.

The Churachandpur-Bishnupur boundary has seen frequent clashes and violence since the ethnic strife in the State began on May 3. While Churachandpur is dominated by the tribal Kuki-Zo people, Bishnupur is a Meitei-majority district. More than 150 people have been killed and more than 60,000 people internally displaced since May 3.