In a significant escalation of violence in conflict-hit Manipur, several militants were killed in an encounter with Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel in the Jiribam district on Monday. The incident unfolded after militants from the Kuki faction launched an attack on a CRPF camp in the region.
During the exchange of fire, a CRPF jawan sustained injuries and was immediately airlifted to a hospital for urgent medical care. Authorities have yet to confirm the exact number of casualties among the militants but indicated that the loss was significant.
Civilians Targeted Amid Ongoing Tensions
Earlier in the day, a farmer in Imphal East district was injured after militants fired from nearby hilltop positions. The attack marked the third consecutive day of hills-based militant aggression against farmers working in the fields of the Imphal Valley, exacerbating the ongoing ethnic conflict in the state.
Security forces swiftly responded, engaging the militants in a brief gunfight. The injured farmer was transported to Yaingangpokpi Primary Health Centre (PHC) for treatment and is reportedly out of danger, according to local authorities.
The recent violence follows a string of deadly incidents in the region. On Saturday, a 34-year-old woman farmer was shot dead while working in a paddy field in Saiton, Bishnupur district. The perpetrators were believed to be militants firing from hilltop positions in the Churachandpur district.
Similar attacks were reported on Sunday in Sanasabi, Sabungkhok Khunou, and Thamnapokpi areas of Imphal East district, further intensifying fears among the local farming community.
Rising Death Toll Amid Ethnic Violence
Since May last year, ethnic violence between the Meitei community, based primarily in the Imphal Valley, and the Kuki tribes from the surrounding hill regions, has resulted in over 200 deaths. The clashes have displaced thousands, leaving many without homes as the situation remains volatile across the state.
Security forces continue to maintain a heavy presence in affected areas, with efforts underway to de-escalate tensions and protect vulnerable civilians. However, the spate of attacks in recent days signals a worrying trend of escalating hostilities, particularly in rural and farming regions of Manipur.