Editor
Imphal, Manipur: Following an exchange of gunfire that resulted in an Army soldier being injured in Imphal West late Sunday night, Chief Minister Biren Singh has issued a stern warning against further incidents of violence. He expressed his concerns during a press conference, stating that a security review meeting would be held to address the situation and prevent such attacks in the future. He urged the armed Meitei people not to engage in any form of aggression.
According to Army reports, the incident occurred when "armed miscreants" from Kanto Sabal in Imphal West fired unprovoked shots towards Chingmang village. In response, Army columns retaliated with controlled fire, considering the presence of villagers in the area. One Army soldier sustained a gunshot wound and was promptly evacuated to the Military Hospital Leimakhong, where he is in stable condition, as confirmed by a statement from the Spearcorps of the Indian Army.
Residents of Chingmang revealed that five houses in the village were set on fire around midnight, although they were unable to identify the perpetrators. The village is located in close proximity to the Leimakhong military garrison. Notably, one of the houses targeted belonged to a Naga family, raising concerns about the communal nature of the violence. Akhon Liangmai, the owner of the house, expressed her distress, emphasizing that the Naga community seeks peaceful coexistence with other tribes. Liangmai called on the government to investigate the matter seriously and highlighted that notes identifying Naga households were put up, yet her house was still targeted and some of the notes were torn down by miscreants.
The affected area lies on the border between Imphal West district in the valley and Kangpokpi district in the hills. With 156 Indian Army columns deployed in Manipur, their operations have primarily focused on such "fringe areas," which have become hotspots of violence and arson during the ongoing wave of unrest since May 28. Incidents of attacks on elected representatives' homes and looting of armories have also been reported in Imphal. Security responsibilities have largely been managed by state forces and the Rapid Action Force, as the Army's involvement in the city has been limited due to the requirement of executive magistrates, which is a new development following the partial repeal of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act in certain parts of Manipur.
The Chief Minister's warning highlights the urgency of restoring peace and stability in Imphal, urging all communities to refrain from violence and work towards a peaceful resolution of their differences.