 "Security personnel fire tear gas shells against protesters in Imphal. The violence in the state has claimed the lives of over 200 people. File image/PTI")
At least 10 militants were killed in a gunfight with Assam Rifles in Manipur’s Chandel district on Wednesday, news agency PTI reported, citing officials.
The officials said that the operation is still ongoing.
The Army’s Eastern Command said in a post on X, “Acting on specific intelligence regarding the movement of armed cadres near New Samtal village, Khengjoy tehsil, Chandel district, close to the Indo-Myanmar border, an Assam Rifles unit under Spear Corps launched an operation on 14 May.
“During the operation, the troops came under fire from suspected cadres. They quickly reacted, redeployed, and retaliated in a calibrated and measured manner. In the ensuing firefight, 10 cadres were neutralised, and a sizeable quantity of arms and ammunition was recovered.”
The ethnic violence in Manipur, ongoing since May 2023, has claimed over 260 lives and displaced more than 60,000 people. The conflict is primarily between the Meitei community from the Imphal Valley and the Kuki-Zo tribes from the hill areas. Tensions escalated after a court order recommended granting Scheduled Tribe status to the Meiteis, sparking protests and violent clashes.
With inputs from PTI.