Manipur: Firefight Between Kuki Militants And Security Forces In Border Town Moreh, One Police Commando Dies

In a fresh instance of violence in Manipur's border town Moreh, a firefight happened between Kuki militants and security forces on Wednesday (17 January) morning. Hindustan Times reported that a police commando died in the gunfight.

The suspected Kuki militants are known to have thrown bombs and fired at a security post near SBI Moreh. As a response, security forces retaliated with fire. However, a security personnel, who was injured in the gunfight, passed away later.

This comes two days after two people were arrested in Moreh under the suspicion of killing a police officer. Notably, Moreh has been an epicentre of attacks on security forces. Two incidents of attacks on Manipur police commandos were reported earlier.

A total curfew was imposed in Tengnoupal district, where Moreh falls, by the Manipur government as there was a fear of "breach of peace, disturbance of public tranquillity and grave danger to human lives and property" after the arrests.

Interestingly, Congress MP Rahul Gandhi's 'Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra' began just a few days ago in Manipur. However, it failed to bridge the ethnic divide even within the top ranks of the Congress unit in the state.

Earlier, the Manipur government had denied permission for Hafta Kangjeibung, Palace Compound in Imphal to start the 6,700 km long yatra.