Three people of the Meitei community were killed and a few others injured in fresh clashes in Manipur, all this happened after militants raided the Kwakta Lamkhai village in Bishnupur. 

The situation remains tense in the region, as a team of police, led by the Superintendent of Police, Bishnupur district, encountered blockades by Assam Rifle personnel near Kwakta. Authorities are closely monitoring the situation, with further details yet to be disclosed. 

As per the police, suspected militants raided the Kwakta Lamkhai village and started indiscriminate firing which killed three people, including an elderly man and his son, on the spot at around 3:30 am. 

The remaining occupants of the village fled as a result of the attack. Police with additional reinforcement rushed to the areas and recovered the bodies. 

The deceased were identified as Yumnam Pishak Meitei (67) and his son Yumnam Premkumar Meitei (39) and a neighbour Yumnam Jiten Meitei (46). 

Meanwhile, the 24-hour general strike called by the coordinating committee of 27 assembly constituencies in Manipur on Saturday paralysing normal life in Imphal Valley, with markets and business establishments remaining shut in almost all localities. 

Public transport stayed off the road and only a few private vehicles were seen plying on the streets. Schools also remained closed due to the strike from midnight. 

The hill districts, however, have largely been unaffected by the strike, which was called by the committee to demand an emergency assembly session to discuss various issues. 

The state, which remains curfew bound, has seen a recent flare-up of hostilities between the two warring communities — the Meiteis and Kuki-Zomis, after an announcement of a public mass burial of tribals killed during the ongoing race riots. The tension between the two communities also heightened after talks between former Kuki militant organisations and the Centre were restarted. 

Meiteis account for about 53 percent of Manipur’s population and live mostly in the Imphal Valley. Tribals — Nagas and Kukis — constitute little over 40 percent and reside in the hill districts. 

Image Source: Tribune India