Two died, over 80 injured in Assam Rifles firing in Manipur

Imphal: Two died and over 80 persons injured in clash between Assam Rifles, security forces and agitating mob at Pallel in Tengnoupal district of Manipur on Friday.

The clash took place when thousands of people tried to move towards Pallel following a firefight between security forces an armed miscreants at Molnoi village near Pallel in Tengnoupal district.

There was no report available of casualties in the firefight.

Manipur Police Control Room said firefight erupted in the morning at Molnoi village near Pallel in Tengnoupal district between security forces and some armed miscreants who attempted to resort to arson and violence in the village. Following this incident, crowds of thousands of people attempted to move towards Pallel.

However, security forces jointly attempted to stop the mob to ensure peace and stability in Pallel, where situation has been tense for few days, the police control room said.

Being blocked by security forces, some armed miscreants from within the mob fired at security forces resulting in Gun Shot Wound injuries to an army officer who was evacuated by helicopter to Military Hospital for treatment. Three other police personnel were also injured during the crowd dispersal, it added.

“In a calibrated response in self-defence and to control the unruly mob, security forces used minimum force to disperse the mob that led to injuries to few persons who were part of the mob out of which two reportedly died,” the police control room said.

Nineteen of the injured persons were reportedly injured by security force firing, which was yet to confirm till the filing of this report.

Security forces conducted search operations in the fringe and vulnerable areas of Imphal-West, Imphal-East, Kangpokpi and Churachandpur districts. Four arms, four ammunition and one explosive were recovered from Imphal East and Churachandpur districts, the police control room said.

An 85-year-old civilian lady (Kuki) was rescued by a CSO along with Manipur Police in the general area of Pallel and handed safely to Tengnoupal district authorities, it added.