In the town of Moreh within Manipur's Tengnoupal district, a distressing incident unfolded as suspected armed militants ambushed a team of which a police personnel was a part, resulting in injuries to one officer. At approximately 3:30 pm on a Saturday, the militants carried out this ambush using improvised explosive devices (IEDs) and other explosives against the security forces.
Following the attack, the state's security forces retaliated, leading to an ongoing gunfight at the time of compiling this report.
Reportedly, unidentified gunmen specifically targeted vehicles transporting police commandos en route from Moreh to the Key Location Point (KLP), as detailed by the news agency PTI.
The injured police officer is currently receiving medical treatment at the 5 Assam Rifles camp, according to further information from the agency.
Just the previous month, an India Reserve Battalion (IRB) jawan and a civilian fell victim to an ambush by unidentified armed assailants in Manipur's Kangpokpi district. This ambush unfolded between Haraothel and Kobsha villages, where a car carrying IRB personnel and the driver came under gunfire, resulting in tragic fatalities.
The state of Manipur has been grappling with ethnic tensions since May 3, 2023, triggered by a 'Tribal Solidarity March' held in the hill districts, protesting the Meitei community's pursuit of Scheduled Tribe (ST) status. This surge in violence stemmed from prior tensions surrounding the eviction of Kuki villagers from reserve forest lands, sparking a series of smaller protests.
Approximately 53 per cent of Manipur's population comprises Meiteis, predominantly residing in the Imphal Valley. The remaining 40 per cent includes Nagas and Kukis, constituting the tribal populace primarily residing in the hill districts.
The clashes between these ethnic groups have resulted in over 180 fatalities. Subsequently, about 10,000 army and paramilitary personnel were deployed to restore order and peace in the northeastern state.
