Two, including one police commando injured in Kuki attack on Meitei villages

Imphal: Two persons including a police commando was injured when armed militants from Kangpokpi district (Kuki prone area) launched attacks on Meitei villages in Imphal East district on Friday escalating high tensions to villagers.

Security forces evacuated villagers to safer locations.

The injured persons were a police commando K. Haridas, 37, of Lamdeng Khunou, while the village volunteer was yet to identify. The police sustained a bullet injury on his left shoulder, while the village volunteer sustained a minor bullet injury on his left hand.

Sporadic gunfights erupted on Christmas Eve, which escalated on Friday, injuring the two individuals.

The latest attack was launched around 9:30 am on this day, targeting several Meitei-inhabited villages, including Sanasabi, Santikhongbal, Sabungkhok, and Yaingangpokpi, under the jurisdiction of Yaingangpokpi police station, Imphal East.

State and central security forces retaliated as the armed miscreants continued their attack using sophisticated weapons, including bombs.

The injured commando was evacuated to Jawaharlal Nehru Institute of Medical Sciences (JNIMS) in Porompat, Imphal East, where he underwent minor surgery. The village volunteer received first aid at Yaingangpokpi Primary Health Centre.

Armed with sophisticated weapons and bombs, the militants attacked from the hill ranges of Thamnapokpi, sparking a fierce exchange of fire that lasted nearly six hours with intermittent breaks. Security forces responded swiftly, engaging the militants in a prolonged battle, police said

As gunfire echoed across the area, 20 to 30 families became stranded in the conflict zone. Manipur Police acted quickly, using bulletproof vehicles to evacuate the families to safety at Yaingangpokpi market shed.

Local residents have expressed growing frustration over the continued violence and the inability of security forces to fully protect them.

Sporadic firing including bombs was still continuing in the area, till 7:45 pm of reporting.

There has been no change in curfew relaxation in Imphal East.