Firing between security forces and armed men has erupted in the Pallel area of strife-torn Manipur’s Tengnoupal district since the early hours of Friday, officials said. According to officials, the gunfire started around 6 am and has been continuing intermittently, though no reports of injuries or casualties have been reported as of now. Security forces are monitoring the situation closely.
This comes two days after thousands of protesters gathered at Phougakchao Ikhai in Bishnupur district on Wednesday and attempted to break through army barricades in an effort to reach their deserted houses in Torbung. The area was tense, with security personnel from the Rapid Action Force, the Assam Rifles and Manipur Police firing tear gas shells to bring the situation under control, officials said.
A full curfew had been imposed in all five valley districts of Manipur the day before the protest as a preventive measure. Since the outbreak of ethnic violence in Manipur on May 3, when a “Tribal Solidarity March” was organised in the hill districts to protest against the majority Meitei community’s demand for Scheduled Tribe status, nearly 200 people have lost their lives and several hundreds have been injured.
Meiteis make up around 53 per cent of Manipur’s population and are mainly concentrated in the Imphal valley, while tribals, including Nagas and Kukis, make up 40 per cent of the population and mostly inhabit the hill districts.
