Imphal: After insurgents attacked five areas - Sekmai, Sugnu, Kumbi, Phayeng, and Serou - in Manipur, commandos of the state police have been engaging with them for eight hours on Sunday. Chief Minister N Biren Singh said 40 terrorists have been shot dead.
"The terrorists have been using M-16 and AK-47 assault rifles and sniper guns against civilians. They came to many villages to burn down homes. We have started taking very strong action against them with the help of the army and other security forces. We have got reports that some 40 terrorists have been shot dead," said CM to reporters.
"The terrorists have been shooting at unarmed civilians. The fight is between armed terrorists trying to disintegrate Manipur and the state government assisted by the centre," he added.
Reports of gunfights are coming from more areas and sources said unclaimed bodies are lying on the streets, reported NDTV. According to doctors at the Regional Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS), they received 10 people injured in the gunfight.
Home Minister Amit Shah is scheduled to visit Manipur tomorrow. He appealed to both communities - Meiteis and the Kukis - to maintain peace and calm. Army Chief General Manoj Pande visited the state yesterday to review the security situation.
The current conflict between the Meiteis and the Kuki tribe started on May 3 and has already claimed over 70 lives. It started over the Meiteis' demand to be included under the Scheduled Tribes (ST) category. The Kuki tribe settled in the hills have alleged the Meiteis of encroaching on their land several times.