Three killed in Manipur in renewed violence

IMPHAL, Aug 18: In a fresh round of violence in ethnic strife-torn Manipur, mutilated bodies of three youths were
found following heavy gunfire at Kuki Thowai village in Ukhrul district on Friday, officials said.
This is the first time that an attack in the recent bout of violence has occurred in Ukhrul district, which is dominated by
Tangkhul Nagas.
Days ago, an Assam Rifles unit posted near the village was withdrawn, there were no other security forces present in
the area.
Sounds of heavy gunfire were heard from the village, which falls in Litan police station area, early on Friday morning,
they said.
The victims have been identified as Jamkhogin Haokip (26), Thangkhokai Haokip (35) and Hollenson Baite (24). The
bodies were found after police carried out a thorough search in the surrounding villages and forest areas.
Bodies of the three persons bore injury marks apparently made using sharp knives and their limbs were also chopped
off, officials said.
Ethnic clashes broke out in the northeastern state on May 3, after a ‘Tribal Solidarity March’ was organised in the hill
districts to protest against the Meitei community’s demand for Scheduled Tribe (ST) status.
Around 40,000 central security personnel, besides the Manipur Police, have been deployed to control the violence and
bring back normality in the state.
Meiteis account for about 53 per cent of Manipur’s population and live mostly in the Imphal Valley. Tribals — Nagas
and Kukis — constitute little over 40 per cent and reside in the hill districts. (PTI)