Fresh conflict: 2 killed in gunfights in Manipur
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Imphal: In fresh conflict unfolded in Manipur, two persons were killed in a gunfight. The incident happened when two armed groups fought each other in the Imphal district on Saturday, PTI reported, citing the police's account.
The victims are yet to be identified.
The shootout happened at a place close to the border of Kangpokpi district, a police officer said.
Additional state and central forces have been rushed in to contain the situation, he said.
The incident came a day after three persons were injured in a gunfight between armed village volunteers and unidentified gunmen in Tengnoupal. Thousands of voters, primarily tribal people, may miss the opportunity to vote in Manipur due to their escape to adjacent Mizoram and other states following the outbreak of violence in Manipur, despite the Election Commission's best attempts to boost voter turnout in the 18th Lok Sabha polls. In the 17th Lok Sabha election held in 2019, the average national turnout was 67.30%. Over 12,000 people belonging to Kuki-Zomi communities in different phases took shelter in Mizoram, and a large number of people of the tribal community shifted to other states after the ethnic violence broke out in Manipur on May 3 last year.
The Election Officials in Manipur and Mizoram separately said that they have yet to get any directions from the Election Commission to make arrangements for the voting of the tribals sheltered outside Manipur.
At least 219 people were killed after ethnic clashes broke out in Manipur on May 3 last year, when a 'Tribal Solidarity March' was organised in the hill districts to protest against the Meitei community's demand for Scheduled Tribe (ST) status.
Meiteis account for about 53 per cent of Manipur's population and live mostly in the Imphal Valley. Tribals - Nagas and Kukis - constitute little over 40 per cent and reside in the hill districts.