A gunfight erupted on Wednesday morning between two armed groups in Sinam Kom, a fringe village in Manipur’s Imphal East. Armed men targeted the village from the hilltops of Kangpokpi district, prompting retaliation from armed “village volunteers” stationed at the foothills, news agency PTI reported, citing police. Additional security forces were deployed to the area to prevent further escalation.
This latest clash follows a gunfight on Tuesday night between armed men and security forces at Thamnapokpi and the nearby Uyok Ching area in the same district, indicating continued unrest in the region.
Meanwhile, Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh reiterated the need for immediate peace and understanding between the conflicting communities. “What is happening in Manipur today has many reasons. Those who have been trying to divide the state are asking what the government is doing… they are hungry for power,” Singh said.
The chief minister emphasised that the BJP is committed to preserving unity and fostering coexistence. “We believe in the idea of living together.”
Singh highlighted several initiatives introduced by the BJP-led government, such as ‘Meeyamgi Numit’ (People’s Day), which aims to bridge the gap between citizens and officials. “We are not against any particular community. We have already started to build relations between the police and the people,” he said.
