Assam Rifles jawan fires at six colleagues, kills himself in Manipur

Guwahati: An Assam Rifles jawan shot at his colleagues before shooting himself dead in Manipur near the Indo-Myanmar border on Wednesday morning, The Indian Express reported.

The soldier posted in the state, where months-long ethnic strife left several dead, had returned from his home in Churachandpur after leave when the incident occurred.

It is reported that the firing has taken place in an Assam Rifles battalion in South Manipur near the Indo-Myanmar.

The Assam Rifles categorically emphasised the incident has nothing to do with the ethnic conflict.

The personnel allegedly fired at his colleagues, injuring six before using the same weapon to shoot himself.

The injured personnel are reportedly stable at the military hospital.

Meanwhile, the PRO of the IG Assam Rifles (South) stated that all the injured are non-Manipuri.

‘In light of the ongoing ethnic strife in Manipur, it is important to share the details of the incident transparently to dispel any potential rumours and avoid any speculation. This unfortunate incident should not be correlated with the ongoing conflict, given the fact that none of the injured are from Manipur,’ the statement reportedly said.

Adding further it said: ‘All Assam Rifles battalions have mixed class composition, including those belonging to various communities from Manipur. All personnel have been staying and operating together despite polarisation of society to maintain peace and stability in Manipur.’