As central leaders huddle in election meetings, Manipur continues to be engulfed in violence. Three fresh deaths were reported in a Naga-Kuki gunfight, officials confirmed on Thursday.
Fresh Clashes in Manipur
The latest incident occurred when a group of Naga village guards came under attack while on patrol duty, following repeated attacks on their village. The guards were targeted in what is being described as a coordinated assault by Kuki militants. Three guards were killed in the exchange of fire, and several others were injured.
This brings the death toll in the ongoing ethnic violence between Naga and Kuki communities to over a dozen in the past week. The region has seen a surge in clashes since the beginning of the election season, with both communities accusing each other of aggression.
Political Leaders' Response
While central leaders are preoccupied with election campaigns and meetings, local leaders have demanded immediate intervention from the central government. The Manipur government has deployed additional security forces to the affected areas, but sporadic violence continues.
The Naga village guards, a local defense group, have been patrolling the area to protect their village from repeated attacks. However, they were ambushed by a group of armed Kuki militants, leading to the casualties. The Kuki community has denied involvement, claiming that the Naga guards were the aggressors.
Appeal for Peace
Civil society groups in Manipur have appealed for peace and urged both communities to refrain from violence. They have called for dialogue between the Naga and Kuki leaders to resolve the conflict. The central government has not yet issued a statement on the latest deaths.
Meanwhile, election meetings in other parts of the state continued as scheduled, with leaders from various parties addressing rallies. The violence has raised concerns about the security situation in the state, especially with elections around the corner.
Observers note that the ethnic tensions in Manipur have deep historical roots and require sustained efforts from both the state and central governments to address. The recent violence underscores the fragility of peace in the region.
