Two Assam Rifles personnel killed as violence intensifies in strife-torn Manipur
Imphal: Two personnel of the Assam Rifles were killed after sustaining injuries in an attack in Manipur’s Ukhrul district, as Indian forces continued operations in the area.
According to Kashmir Media Service, Manipur police, in a post on X, said the attack took place on Monday evening on National Highway-202 near Noungshong Kong village under the jurisdiction of Ukhrul police station. The injured personnel later succumbed to their wounds. Following the attack, additional Indian forces rushed to the area, triggering an exchange of fire with the attackers. The search operation was continuing till the filing of this report.
Indian news portal The Wire, citing multiple local sources, reported that little verified information was available from the ground as the operation remained underway.
While the identity of the attackers has not been officially established, unverified claims circulating on social media alleged the involvement of the National Socialist Council of Nagalim (Isak-Muivah). However, A.C. Thotso of the United Naga Council (UNC) urged caution against drawing hasty conclusions. The Wire also reported that the Kuki Students’ Organisation (KSO) said it had no information about the incident when contacted.
The latest attack comes amid the continuing ethnic conflict in Manipur that erupted in May 2023. The violence has so far claimed over 250 lives, mostly Christians, displaced tens of thousands of people and caused heavy damage to property, while also resulting in casualties among Indian forces’ personnel.
Although the violence that broke out in May 2023 has been between Manipur’s Hindu-dominated Meitei community and the Christian-majority Kuki community, a separate ethnic conflict between the state’s Kukis and Nagas broke out in February this year after a brawl between members of the two sides in Litan. This conflict has since witnessed killings, hostage-taking and arson, further aggravating the situation in the state.
