NEW DELHI: Three people were killed and three others injured after suspected militants ambushed firewood collectors along the Imphal East-Kangpokpi district border in Manipur on Monday.The attack triggered protests in Imphal, where locals placed two of the victims’ bodies outside Manipur chief minister Y Khemchand Singh’s residence.The attack took place around 7am in Khongbal Sunurok Uyok in Kangpokpi district, near Nongshum village in Imphal East. Three people remained missing after the incident, officials said. The protests also led to road blockades and the closure of markets and shops across Imphal.
Firewood collectors ambushed in the hills
The victims were among 16 people who had gone to the hills near their village to collect firewood when suspected militants opened fire on them, officials said.The deceased were identified as Arubam Ronil, 35, Lairenlakpam Inaobi, 51, and Kshetrimayum Sushil, 32. Ronil and Inaobi died on the spot, while Sushil succumbed to his injuries at a private hospital in Imphal, an official said.The injured were identified as N Suraj, 19, Meisnam Somendro, 53, and K Bosan, 45. They were undergoing treatment. Three people were still unaccounted for, news agency PTI reported, citing officials.An injured survivor, who was taken to a private hospital in Imphal, said, “While we were loading the firewood, we were suddenly fired upon.”
Bodies placed outside CM’s residence
Angry locals brought two of the deceased’s bodies to Imphal and placed them outside the main gate of the chief minister’s residence in Babupara to protest the continuing violence in the state.Police fired several rounds of tear gas shells to disperse the protesters. The bodies were subsequently taken to the Jawaharlal Nehru Institute of Medical Sciences (JNIMS).Security was tightened around the chief minister’s bungalow and along the routes leading to it.Following the demonstration, Khemchand Singh visited the injured people receiving treatment at a private hospital in Imphal but did not respond to media queries.
Protests spread, markets and shops shut
The attack triggered demonstrations at several locations in the state capital. Protesters blocked a road at Khurai Lamlong, while a group of women staged a demonstration at Ema Keithel market.Markets and shops across Imphal shut following the incident, as anger grew over the latest attack.
Manipur grappling with violence since 2023
The attack on firewood collectors came amid other incidents of violence reported in Manipur over the weekend.In a separate incident, at least 15 houses belonging to the Kuki community were torched in Chassad village in Kamjong district late on Saturday night, officials said on Sunday. Suspected militants allegedly set the houses on fire, forcing several civilians to flee to forest areas and a nearby Army camp.PTI reported that a Kuki civilian was killed and four others sustained bullet injuries when suspected militants attacked the village earlier on Sunday.Deputy chief minister Nemcha Kipgen condemned the violence in Chassad, expressed grief over the death and concern for the injured village leaders and displaced families. She described the burning of houses as an intolerable crime and said she had directed the district administration, state police and security forces to remain vigilant round the clock, protect civilians and their property, and ensure those responsible were brought to justice.
Police said a joint team of the Assam Rifles, Border Security Force and Kamjong Police had been deployed in the affected area to bring the situation under control.In another separate incident at Kamjong district headquarters on Saturday night, three Tangkhul Naga civilians sustained bullet injuries when rival armed groups belonging to another community attacked the village.Manipur has been grappling with prolonged violence since May 2023. The latest attack on firewood collectors and the protests that followed came against the backdrop of fresh incidents involving arson, civilian deaths and gunshot injuries in other parts of the state.(With inputs from agencies)