Two killed, JCO among 3 injured in Manipur distt

At least two people died while three others, including a junior commissioned officer(JCO) of the army, were injured in day-long firing that broke out along the Imphal EastKangpokpi buffer zone area in Manipur on Tuesday, people aware of the matter said.

Until late Tuesday evening, intermittent firing was reported from the areas along the Khamenlok ridge, Saikul and Satang, confirmed personnel from security forces and residents of Saikul division.

The buffer zone around Kangpokpi-Imphal East has witnessed multiple bursts of firing since Saturday. Two bodies found over the weekend by Manipur Police are also suspected to be casualties of firing in the area.

An officer aware of Tuesday's incident said that around 11.30 am, fresh firing broke out in parts along Khamenlok and Saikul between Meitei and Kuki groups, prompting soldiers from the Assam Rifles and Indian Army to move towards the area.

"We have reports of one dead and three injured. The body of one person, Sagolsem Loha, has been sent to Jawaharlal Nehru Institute of Medical Science, mortuary. There are reports of another person dead in the firing, but we are yet to receive a confirmation," said a police officer aware of the matter, requesting anonymity.