IMPHAL, Nov 11: Tensions rose in Manipur’s Imphal East district as suspected armed miscreants launched fresh attacks from hilltop positions, targeting the foothill areas.
The latest incident occurred on Monday in Yaingangpokpi of Imphal East, where militants from the hilltop positions in adjacent Kangpokpi District fired towards farmers working in the fields harvesting paddy at around 9:20 a.m, in which a farmer belonging to Tangkhul Naga sustained pellet injuries on his hand. The injured farmer was taken to Yaingangpokpi Primary Health Center (PHC) for treatment, while the whereabouts of three others working in the field remain unknown.
On Sunday, militants attacked several villages, including Thamnapokpi, Yaingangpokpi, Sabungkhok, and Sanasabi, firing from elevated positions toward civilians below. At around 9:30 a.m., the attackers reportedly launched three rocket-propelled grenades (RPGs) at farmers in the Thamnapokpi fields, triggering chaos and forcing villagers to escape.
A joint security team, including personnel from the Mahar Regiment, Border Security Force (BSF), and local police, responded with gunfire, leading to a prolonged clash with the militants. One soldier from the Mahar Regiment sustained an arm injury during the exchange, which continued until the afternoon when security forces regained control.
Following the attacks, Manipur Police DIG Range-I N Herojit held a meeting in Yaingangpokpi to address the ongoing violence and explore measures to restore calm in the affected areas.
