TFM Report
One person was killed and three others were injured in separate incidents of alleged firing in different parts of Manipur valley areas. One Toijam Chandramani, 30, from Thengra Leirak was killed at Thamnapokpi hillside. He sustained three bullet wounds and was brought dead to Bishnupur district hospital. Another person sustained injury at Singda at IFCD headquarters on Wednesday morning. Aribam Rishikesh, 31, son of Brajabidhu of Singda Kadangband sustained pellet injuries in a shootout. Abunao, 28, another person from Ngankha Lawai sustained injuries on both legs.
Tension continues to prevail in Tronglaobi area in Bishnupur district as well when armed cadres belonging to Kuki groups allegedly set fire to few houses and opened fire towards Meitei settlement areas last midnight (Tuesday). Agitated women folk of the area also alleged that there had been intermittent firing and burning of house in their areas since the ethnic violence broke out after the tribal peace march on May 3.
Irate residents, manly women, rushed to the Deputy Commissioner’s office in Bishnupur town and demanded the deployment of necessary security personnel for safeguarding their properties and the inhabitants of Tronglaobi Makha Leikai. They demanded that the security forces should be led by Manipur Police and have asked the DC to understand the sentiments of the people of the area. It has been informed that the armed Kuki militants also fired at a vehicle besides targeting other areas.
The agitating women also stated that what is most surprising is the fact that there were firing from all directions in the area. They said that earlier when there were exchange of firing earlier, it used to be between West and East direction but on Tuesday nights there were bullets flying from South and North sides, said a woman who looked extremely frightened.
A woman leader from Trongloabi Makha Leikai, Longjam Priyabati had this to just after submitting a short representation to the Deputy Commissioner, Bishnupur.
Meanwhile, Manipur Mountaineering and Trekking Association (MMTA) centre at Lamdan housing ‘s Manipur Mountaineering Institute (MMI) complex near the Loktak Hydro-Electric Project, about 35km. from Imphal have beenburnt down .
According to reliable sources TFM spoke to, these structure and the guest houses inside the MMTA centre was burnt down and fired at by armed miscreants believed to be Kuki militants.
The Adventure and Leadership Park run by the Manipur Mountaineering Institute (MMI) of the MMTA is located at Lamdan. The area covering 250 hectares with natural rock is the first of its kind in India.