Manipur violence: Two persons were killed and nearly 50 others sustained injuries at Pallel in the Tengnoupal district of Manipur on Friday (September 8), the officials said.
Four civilians were among the injured who sustained bullet injuries, they added.
An exchange of fire between security forces and armed men was reported from the Pallel area of Manipur's Tengnoupal district since the wee hours of Friday.
"Firing between two groups of unidentified men began at Pallel around 6 am leading to the death of a person. He was brought dead to Kakching Jeevan Hospital while the injured who received bullet injuries have been referred to Imphal," the officials said.
According to the doctors, the condition of one of the injured admitted to the Regional Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS) in Imphal is critical.
"A 48-year-old man was killed in the crossfire between the two groups of unidentified armed men," the officials said, adding that over 45 women also sustained injuries after Assam Rifles lobbed teargas shells to defuse the situation.
An Assam Rifles jawan was also injured.
The officials said that the firing began at around 6 am and continued intermittently.
The incident comes two days after thousands of protesters gathered at Phougakchao Ikhai in Bishnupur district on Wednesday and attempted to surpass the army barricades in their attempt to reach their deserted houses in Torbung.
“Tension was palpable in the area, with security forces comprising personnel of RAF, the Assam Rifles and Manipur Police firing tear gas shells to bring the situation under control,” the officials said.
Full curfew had been clamped in all five valley districts of Manipur a day before the protest as a preventive measure.
Over 160 people have been killed so far while several others have sustained injuries since the beginning of ethnic violence on May 3, when a "Tribal Solidarity March" was organised in the hill districts to protest against the majority 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, including Nagas and Kukis, constitute 40 per cent and reside mostly in the hill district.
(With PTI inputs)
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