Fresh Violence In Manipur: 13 Corpses Found After Clash Between Two Militant Groups

A new wave of violence in the Tengnoupal district of Manipur resulted in the death of at least 13 individuals on Monday (4 December) afternoon.

Security force officials reported that they received information about a clash between two militant groups in Leithu village, near Saibol in the Tengnoupal district, which occurred approximately at midday.

The closest security personnel were approximately 10km distant from the location. Upon their arrival, they discovered 13 corpses in the village of Leithu. No weapons were found in the vicinity of the bodies, according to an officer familiar with the situation.

The officer indicated that the deceased individuals seemingly did not originate from the Leithu region. Instead, they might have arrived from a different location and subsequently became involved in a skirmish with another group.

The identities of the deceased individuals were not confirmed by either the police or the security forces, Hindustan Times reported.

Since 3 May, Manipur has experienced ethnic conflicts between the Meitei and Kuki communities. The confrontations have resulted in a minimum of 182 fatalities and approximately 50,000 individuals left without homes.

The prohibition on mobile internet services in the state affected by violence was only lifted by authorities on Sunday after seven months, although some border areas in certain districts remained an exception.

The regions in the aforementioned districts, primarily inhabited by either Meiteis or Kukis, have been the main stage for the majority of the violent incidents, armed confrontations, acts of arson, and kidnappings that occurred over the previous seven months.

The suspension was lifted four days subsequent afteragreement signed in New Delhi between the Centre, the Manipur government, and the United National Liberation Force (UNLF). Notably, the UNLF is the most longstanding militant group in the state.