Manipur violence: Army jawan injured in firing, houses burnt in fresh attack

Army officials said armed miscreants resorted to unprovoked firing from Kanto Sabal towards Chingmang village, Imphal West during the night of June 18 and June 19.

Army Columns resorted to controlled retaliatory fire keeping in view the presence of villagers in the area.

One Army soldier, who sustained a gunshot sound, was evacuated to Military Hospital Leimakhong and is stable. Additional columns inducted in the area and joint operations are in progress.

Meanwhile, five houses were burnt at Imphal West by unknown miscreants.

Meanwhile, the Manipur government has banned the sale and use of walkie-talkie sets especially in the capital city.

Ban on the internet remains enforced since May 3 last. Curfew is relaxed on Monday from 5 am to 5 pm in the capital city.

The highway remained blocked since May 3 last at Kangpokpi district.

Violence hit Manipur on May 3 following a 'Tribal Solidarity March' in the hill districts of the state. The march was organised to oppose the demand made by the Meitei community for Scheduled Tribe (ST) status.

Tensions have been rising due to the discrimination allegedly faced by tribal communities in Manipur, as the benefits intended for them often end up benefiting the majority community instead.

The Meiteis, comprising approximately 53 percent of the population, primarily reside in the Imphal Valley, while the tribal communities—the Nagas and the Kukis—live in the hill districts.

The tribal agitation arises from their concerns about the potential encroachment on their ancestral lands as a result of government policies, despite opposition from the majority of Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs) in the state.