In a concerning development, Imphal East district witnessed another outbreak of violence on February 7, as armed miscreants launched a pre-dawn attack on Itham Moirang Purel village. This incident comes on the heels of a similar assault the previous day in Tumukhong, raising alarm bells in the region.
At approximately 3:10 am on February 7, suspected armed groups, equipped with sophisticated weapons, targeted village defence volunteers and security forces. The assailants’ brazen attack provoked a swift response from the security forces, resulting in gunfire exchange. Fortunately, no casualties have been reported as of now.
The previous day’s incident in Tumukhong saw heavily armed miscreants descending from the Molham Kuki Village hill towards the sand mining area, situated between Nongdam Tangkhul and Tumukhong Meetei Village. The attackers indiscriminately fired upon those involved in mining and sand-related activities. Miraculously, a number of innocent sand miners narrowly escaped harm.
The consecutive attacks underscore the escalating security challenges faced by the residents of Imphal East. The motives behind these assaults remain unclear, but the use of sophisticated weaponry and strategic targeting of both village defence volunteers and security forces heighten the gravity of the situation.
Local authorities must swiftly investigate these incidents, identify the perpetrators, and take decisive action to ensure the safety and security of the residents. Additionally, efforts should be intensified to enhance intelligence gathering and collaboration between law enforcement agencies to prevent further violence in the region.
The community at large is urged to remain vigilant and cooperate with authorities to maintain peace and stability in Imphal East. Addressing the root causes of such incidents and fostering dialogue within the affected communities are crucial steps towards achieving a lasting resolution to the ongoing security challenges.