2 jawans, 5 locals injured as firing continues in Manipur

At least seven people, including two India Reserve Battalion (IRB) personnel, were injured as armed miscreants from both Kuki and Meitei communities in ethnic strife-torn Manipur engaged in intermittent firing throughout Wednesday, people aware of the matter said.

- Prawesh Lama

Officials in the security forces confirmed that intermittent firing between two groups of armed miscreants have continued for over 36 hours in the hills and valley near Naranseina village in Bishnupur district.

The firings started on Tuesday morning after a 26-year-old farmer, Salam Jotin Singh, a resident of Naranseina, was shot by miscreants. Singh sustained a bullet injury, but survived.

“Columns of army and Assam Rifles are present at the spot. The situation is tense but firing has finally stopped just now,” a senior security officer said on Wednesday night, requesting anonymity. Miscreants from the hills also fired mortars, while those in the valley used automatic guns, the officer added.