1. An ambush in Manipur’s Kangpokpi claims the lives of IRB jawan and civilians.
2. The victims were identified as Henminlen Vaiphei (IRB) and Thangminlun Hangsing.
3. Assailants targeted them between Haraothel and Kobsha villages, resulting in fatal injuries.
Imphal, Nov 21: In a tragic incident, an ambush in Manipur’s Kangpokpi district resulted in the death of an India Reserve Battalion (IRB) jawan and a civilian. The victims, identified as Henminlen Vaiphei (IRB) and Thangminlun Hangsing, were targeted between Haraothel and Kobsha villages.
The assailants opened fire on a Maruti Gypsy carrying IRB personnel and his driver, leading to fatal injuries. Both Henminlen Vaiphei and Thangminlun Hangsing succumbed to their injuries during the attack.
In response to the ambush, additional forces have been deployed in the area, and a comprehensive search is underway to apprehend the accused individuals, according to a police official.
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The Committee on Tribal Unity (COTU), a tribal organization based in Kangpokpi, has declared an “emergency shutdown” in Kangpokpi, urging locals to observe the suspension of normal activities. The COTU, during a meeting, put forth demands calling for the Chief Minister Biren Singh-led government to make arrangements for a separate administration for tribals in the state.
The northeastern state of Manipur has been plagued by violence since May, triggered by a ‘Tribal Solidarity March’ in the hill districts of Manipur. The march was organized to protest against the Meitei community’s demand for Scheduled Tribe (ST) status. The ethnic clashes between two tribal groups, the Kukis and Meiteis, have resulted in nearly 200 casualties since May 3.
Manipur shares borders with Nagaland, Mizoram, and Assam, and it also has an international border with Myanmar to its east. The ongoing strife underscores the complex ethnic and communal dynamics in the region, necessitating a careful and comprehensive approach to address the underlying issues.
