Manipur: One killed, two injured in shootout in Imphal East district

A 25-year-old village volunteer was killed and two others were injured in a gunfight between two warring communities in Manipur’s Imphal East district on Tuesday, police said.

The shootout took place at Pukhao Shantipur bordering Kangpokpi district, a senior officer said.

The deceased was identified as Sagolsem Loya. He was taken to a private hospital in Imphal where he succumbed to his injuries, the officer said. 

Intermittent gunfights had been reported from Pukhao and surrounding hill areas since Sunday night. 

The peripheral areas between the districts of Imphal East and the hill district of Kangpokpi have been witnessing skirmishes and firings in between intervals which show that the situation in Manipur is quite far from over. 

Armed miscreants from both sides have been targeting each other which has led to several deaths since January this year.

More than 180 people were killed in Manipur since the ethnic violence erupted on May 3 last year after a Tribal Solidarity March was organised in the hill districts to protest against the Meitei community's demand for Scheduled Tribe status. 

Meiteis account for about 53 per cent of Manipur's population and live mostly in the Imphal Valley, while tribals, which include Nagas and Kukis, constitute 40 per cent and reside mainly in the hill districts.