The northeastern state of Manipur, torn by ethnic conflict between Meitei and Kuki-Zomis since May last year, saw incidents of terrorism-related violence this week, resulting in deaths of seven people, including two security personnel. In the Indo-Myanmarese border town of Moreh, the situation remains tense with Kuki-Zomi militants targeting the state's security personnel posted there. This past week, two state forces were killed by Kuki-Zomi militants.

This border town, which had a sizable Meitei population before the starting of the ethnic riots, has become a hotbed of terror with suspected Kuki-Zomi militants targeting the security personnel. The situation escalated this week after state forces arrested two Kuki-Zomis — Philip Khaikholal Khongsai, a retired an Indian army soldier, and Hemkholal Mate, the now suspended treasurer of the BJP’s Tengnoupal district unit — for the killing of state police officer Chingtham Anand Kumar, a Meitei. Kumar was killed by Kuki-Zomi terrorists by a sniper in Moreh last year.

In another chilling case of violence, four Meitei persons were killed by Kuki-Zomi militants at Ningthong Kha Khunou of Bishnupur district. In a separate incident, a Meitei village volunteer on guard duty was killed in Kangpokpi district in a gunfight with armed gunmen, suspected to be Kuki-Zomi terrorists.

With an increase in attacks by Kuki-Zomi militants against Meiteis, the anguished Meiteis of the valley are expressing their dissatisfaction through protests. In one such protest, in Meitei-dominated Thoubal district, a furious mob attacked the police station with the intent to loot arms and ammunition but they were pushed back by the security forces. However, some “armed men'' among that mob fired gunshots and as a result three BSF jawans were injured.........

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