In a troubling turn of events in Manipur, a recent episode of violence has claimed the lives of two individuals and left three others injured as a result of an attack near Kadangband village in the Lamshang area, located on the border of Imphal West district. The incident unfolded when unidentified armed individuals launched an assault on a camp, leading to tragic consequences. Among the victims are Nongthombam Micheal, aged 33, and Meisnam Khaba, aged 23, both of whom were serving as village volunteers at the time of the attack. The situation escalated as volunteers from the camp responded in defense, resulting in a confrontation between the assailants and the camp occupants, according to reports from the local community.
Confirming the grim outcome, authorities from the Police Control Room issued a statement acknowledging the loss of life in what they described as a firing incident involving armed perpetrators in the border region spanning Kangpokpi and Imphal West districts. Furthermore, reports indicate that following the initial attack, the assailants regrouped and launched a subsequent assault, prompting an ongoing exchange of gunfire, as reported by a police official on the scene. The intensity of the situation led to a mass exodus of residents, including women and children, from Kadangband and neighboring Koutruk village, seeking refuge in safer areas.
To address the escalating tensions and restore stability, additional security personnel have been swiftly deployed to the affected area. However, the underlying tensions in Manipur persist, rooted in longstanding ethnic divisions between the Meitei community residing in the Imphal Valley and the Kuki community inhabiting the adjacent hills. This conflict, which has been simmering since May 2023, has inflicted substantial harm, resulting in a tragic loss of over 180 lives and exacerbating the fragile social fabric of the region.
