Clashes Erupt in Manipur: CRPF Officer Injured and Homes Set Ablaze Amidst Ethnic Tensions

A violent confrontation in Manipur escalated on Monday as clashes broke out between the Kuki and Naga communities, resulting in the injury of a Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) sub-inspector and the destruction of multiple homes. The situation intensified at the border between the Kuki-dominated Kangpokpi district and the Naga-dominated Senapati district, underscoring the ongoing ethnic tensions in the region.

Sub-inspector Pradeep Singh, part of the 36th Battalion of the CRPF, sustained a gunshot wound to his left leg during the skirmish. He was reportedly caught in the crossfire and has since been admitted to the District Hospital in Senapati for treatment. The violence erupted early Monday morning when unidentified assailants set fire to a residence in Taphou Kuki village. This act was followed shortly by another arson incident in Taphou Naga village, leading to a retaliatory exchange of gunfire after 9 AM.

In response to the violence, residents from the Senapati district took to the streets, blocking National Highway-2, also known as the Imphal-Dimapur Road, for several hours. This highway had just reopened last Friday after being closed for three years due to previous ethnic clashes that erupted in May 2023, highlighting the fragile peace in the area.

The Taphou Kuki village authority has condemned the recent arson attacks, labeling them as “highly deplorable, inhuman, and unacceptable.” They have called for an immediate cessation of violence and urged local authorities, including the police and district administration, to launch a thorough investigation into the incidents and hold those responsible accountable. The growing unrest in Manipur serves as a reminder of the deep divisions that continue to exist among the various ethnic groups in the state.

As tensions simmer, there is apprehension about the potential for further violence. The need for dialogue and reconciliation among communities in Manipur is more pressing than ever, as residents hope for a return to peace and stability in a region long troubled by ethnic strife.

Source: scroll.in