Heavy gunfight, bomb explosion scare Manipur people

Imphal: A heavy gunfight occurred at a paddy field in Imphal East district, suspected Kuki militants launched an attack at Koutruk village in Imphal West district, while a bomb was planted at the Zonal Education office in Ukhrul district on Wednesday.

According to the Imphal East district police, an incident of firing occurred around 12:40 pm at Laikhong Seirang Loukol (paddy field), situated between Itham Moirangpurel and Laikhong village, under the jurisdiction of Moirangpurel police station.

“Armed miscreants from Seichand village in Kangpokpi district (a Kuki village) fired several rounds at Laikhong Seirang Loukol, while some farmers were working in the paddy field. The 5/9 Gorkha Regiment (GR) retaliated, resulting in an exchange of fire. The miscreants fired around 200-300 rounds, and GR jawans also retaliated heavily, with the gunfight continuing for approximately 30 minutes.”

No casualties were reported in the incident.

In the Koutruk incident, armed miscreants from a nearby Kangpokpi district village allegedly fired two rounds. However, there was no retaliation from state forces, said Lamshang police.

Miscreants attacked Thamnapokpi village under the jurisdiction of Yaingangpokpi police station, Imphal East, on Tuesday. Police said the miscreants allegedly fired two rounds from Thamnapokpi Uyok Ching at around 1:24 pm.

Despite efforts by district police and central forces to track down the attackers, no traces were found, and the motive behind the attack was yet to be ascertained.

Meanwhile, unknown miscreants planted a bomb at the Zonal Education Office in Phungreitang, Ukhrul district, on Wednesday. The district police said it discovered a suspicious plastic bag near the gate at around 9:15 am and immediately informed the Village Defence Force (VDF) personnel. The bag was found to contain a hand grenade. A formal complaint was lodged at Ukhrul police station.

Police cordoned off the area around the office to prevent any potential incident. No organisation has claimed responsibility for planting the bomb.

A bomb squad from Imphal safely detonated the bomb in an isolated area of Ukhrul town.

The Rongmei Naga Students’ Organisation Manipur, a Naga students’ body, expressed strong condemnation of the bomb planting incident at the education office.