Unarmed Villagers Killed in Manipur’s Bishnupur District Amid Ongoing Ethnic Clashes

New Delhi, August 5, 2023: In a tragic incident, three unarmed villagers, including a father-son duo, were brutally killed in fresh violence in Manipur’s Bishnupur district early this morning.

According to witness accounts from locals, suspected militants raided Ukha Tampak village near Kwakta in Bishnupur around 2 am and started firing indiscriminately, resulting in the deaths of the three villagers who were guarding their houses.

The attackers gunned down the victims while they were sleeping and later slashed them with swords, adding to the horror of the attack. The incident has raised concerns as the attackers managed to breach the buffer zone, manned by central security forces, between hills and valleys.

Manipur BJP MLA Rajkumar Imo Singh expressed outrage at the central security forces, alleging significant security lapses in the attack. He demanded action against the paramilitary force personnel for their negligence in duty, as the militants from other districts were able to carry out the attack despite the presence of a large number of paramilitary personnel in the area.

Rajkumar Imo Singh emphasized the need for immediate and proactive measures to restore peace and normalcy in the state. He also called on the central government to address the issue of violence and take stringent measures to stop the ongoing clashes between the Meitei and Kuki communities, which have resulted in numerous casualties and displacements.

The northeastern state of Manipur has been grappling with ethnic clashes between the Meitei and Kuki communities, with the Meitei community demanding Scheduled Tribes (ST) status. The violence has caused a significant loss of lives and displacement of thousands, leading to tensions in various districts of the state.

Authorities conducted search operations in vulnerable areas of the strife-torn state and destroyed illegal bunkers after the fresh outbreak of violence. However, the situation remains highly sensitive, and immediate efforts are required to bring lasting peace to Manipur.