Despite appeals from various corners of the state for peace and Union Home Minister Amit Shah calling for an all-party meeting on Saturday (June 24) amid the crisis in Manipur, another gunfight was reported from Urangpat near Gwaltabi under the jurisdiction of Yaingangpokpi police station on Friday.
Upon receiving reports of the gunfight near Yaingangpokpi, PHED minister L Sushildro alias Yaima and Lamlai MLA L Ibomcha rushed to the spot and reviewed the situation.
The gunfight reportedly occurred around 12 noon at the border village area of Imphal East and Kangpokpi district between armed militants and village defence volunteers.
Villagers of the area reported that some of the village defence volunteers were guarding at the peripheral area of Yaingangpokpi village when the gunfight suddenly happened.
It is also reported that personnel of 20 JAT regiment were also involved in the exchange of fire which continued for over an hour. Later, the gunfight was stopped as additional Indian Army cordoned the area to avoid any collateral damage.
ALSO READ: Manipur Violence: 1,095 arms, 13,702 ammunition and 250 bombs recovered
Womenfolk of Yaingangpokpi area, including Sabungkhok, blocked Imphal-Ukhrul Road at Muirei village and the Indian Army also countered the road block by putting barbed wire and road spikes at Muirei village.
Later, the roadblock was opened after minister Y Susildro and MLA Kh Ibomcha negotiated with the womenfolk and the Indian Army at the spot.
It is learnt that Susindro along with his security personnel were coming after they rescued two women who were reportedly assaulted by a group of women at Sabungkhok, Imphal East on allegations that the two women were reported informers of some Kuki groups.
The two women were identified as one Sorokhaibam Gita Chanu, 44, wife of S Samson from Khurai Chingangbam Leikai, Imphal West and Laishram Aruna, 46, daughter of L Yaiskul from Keirao Bitra Awang Leikai.
A bunch of womenfolk again stopped the minister near Chingarel after which a scuffle broke out and as minister Yaima fired his personal gun in the air about seven times to control the mob, a bullet casing struck the eye and caused injury to a Meira Paibi bystander, which further enraged the mob.
The injured has been identified as one Konthoujam Dede, 39, wife of K Kapoor from Kangla Sangomshang, Imphal East district. She was rushed to Raj Medicity.
Later, an irate mob attacked a godown belonging to minister Yaima located at a place in between Chingarel and Kangla Sangomsang at Sajiwa.
A few rice bags and a vehicle were burned at the campus. Sources said, a team of Rapid Action Force (RAF) has secured the godown. A load of about 200 rice bags were reportedly found from the godown.
Latest reports said, a huge mob from the Lamlai area is set for minister Yaima's residence at Khurai.
Meanwhile, Spearcorps.Indianarmy updated their Facebook page stating, “Firing by Armed Miscreants in areas of Urangpat/Yaingangpokpi (YKPI) in Imphal East & Kangpokpi #Manipur”. (Sic)
The update continued, “Group of armed miscreants sneaked into the area from YKPI towards hillside today afternoon. Miscreants firing automatic weapons towards villages of Urangpat and Gwaltabi. Security Forces Columns deployed in these vacant village responded in calibrated manner to avoid any collateral damage. A large group of women part of mob in YKPI and Seijang area preventing movement of additional columns into the area. Further details follow” (Sic).
ALSO READ: Manipur Violence: Village volunteer, two Assam Rifles personnel injured in Tairenpokpi gunbattle
