Manipur violence: Three civilians killed in suspected militant attack, protests erupt in Imphal

Angry protesters left the bodies outside the CM Bunglow. PIC/X/@bikash_ET

Fresh ethnic violence in Manipur has escalated following the killing of three civilians allegedly by Kuki militants, triggering angry protests. Three people collecting firewood in a forest were shot dead on Monday, triggering protests by locals who placed their bodies outside the chief minister's residence here.

Three others were also injured as militants opened fire on a group of firewood collectors on the border of Imphal East and Kangpokpi districts, officials said, adding that three more have gone missing.

The militants opened fire on a group of firewood collectors. PIC/X/@JosephNaga1986

While Arubam Ronil, 35, and Lairenlakpam Inaobi, 51, died on the spot, Kshetrimayum Sushil, 32, succumbed to injuries at a private hospital, an official said. The injured - N Suraj, 19, Meisnam Somendro, 53, and K Bosan, 45 - were undergoing treatment.

Following the demonstration outside his residence, Chief Minister Y Khemchand Singh visited the injured undergoing treatment at a private hospital, but did not respond to any media queries. Angry locals brought the bodies and placed them outside the main gate of the CM's residence in Babupara.

The protesters also blocked a road at Khurai Lamlong while a group of women staged a demonstration at Ema Keithel in Imphal. Markets and shops across Imphal shuttered following the incident. The ethnic violence in Manipur started in May 2023 and continues through ongoing clashes.

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