Fresh violence flared up in Bishnupur district early Tuesday as a villager of Naranseina in the district was injured in indiscriminate firing by suspected Kuki militants, sources said.
Enraged at the delay in response by both state and central forces over the firing incident, armed village volunteers retaliated, according to the sources.
At least two persons were killed and over seven others injured in the clashes which occurred at around 9 am near a Kuki village above Loktak High Canal and Phubala Maning, the sources said.
The injured farmer has been identified as a 40-year-old Salam Jotin, son of S Tomba from Naranseina Ward number 8.
According to the sources, the incident reportedly occurred around 6:30 am when Jotin went to work in a paddy field located near Loktak Project High Canal at Naranseina Maning Leikai. The paddy field was owned by one Maisnam Sunil (37), son of late Ibopishak from Naranseina Ward number 7.
As suspected Kuki militants fired indiscriminately, a stray bullet hit Jotin on his back and passed through the left side of his collarbone, the sources said, adding that he was later rushed to Raj Medicity in Imphal, where he is undergoing necessary treatment.
It may be mentioned that there is a 2nd IRB Battalion headquarters near Naranseina Maning Leikai area, and a Gurkha Regiment post near the High Canal, where the two was attacked.
Tension in and around Naranseina build up over the firing incident, as village volunteers gathered in large numbers.
At around 9 am, as they wound their way towards an unnamed Kuki village near the High Canal, they were fired upon by militants, the sources said.
The deceased volunteer has been identified as one Laibujam Inao, aged 27, son of L Premjoy of Takhel Makha Leikai.
Meanwhile, decrying the attack by suspected Kuki militants at Naranseina in Bishnupur district on Tuesday morning, a large number of womenfolk of the district carried out a protest condemning the attack.
Around 100 women congregated at Ningthoukhong Bazar in Bishnupur district around 9 am, protesting the firing by armed miscreants at Naraseina which injured a civilian, police said. The crowd, after over an hour of protest, dispersed around 10:30 am.
According to a police press-note, firing between armed miscreants occurred in the adjoining villages of Naranseina in which two persons succumbed to injuries and seven persons sustained bullet and splinter injuries.
District police, AR, Army and CAPF deployed in the area responded and brought the situation under control, the release added.
While there is no mention of the other person who succumbed to injuries, it could be the individual with splinter injuries who was brought to Churachandpur District Hospital on Tuesday, as per sources.
He has been identified as Jangminlun Gangte, 28 years, son of Mangkholen Gangte from Suangdoh village.
According to Churachandpur SP, Gangte was reportedly brought dead to Churachandpur District Hospital around 3 pm with blast injuries.
