3 Kuki-Zo tribals shot dead by terror groups in Manipur
text_fields
Imphal: In fresh violence, three tribals belonging to the Kuki-Zo community were shot dead on Tuesday morning allegedly by militants of banned terror groups in Kangpopki district in Manipur, officials said here.
The assailants came in a vehicle and attacked the villagers between the Ireng and Karam Vaiphei villages in Kanggui area located in the bordering areas of Imphal West and Kangpopki districts, he said.
"We do not have much details now. All we know is that the incident took place around 8.20 am when unidentified men gunned down three civilians in an area between Ireng and Karam Vaiphei," the official said.
This village is located in the hills and is dominated by the tribal people.
The incident comes close on the heels of the violence that broke out at Pallel in Tengnoupal district in which three persons were killed and over 50 injured on September 8.
Manipur has been witnessing frequent clashes between the majority Meitei community and tribal Kukis since ethnic violence broke out in the state 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.
More than 160 people have been killed in the clashes and several hundred injured.
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 districts.
With inputs from PTI
