Fresh gunfight reported between armed groups in Manipur's Imphal West

PTI Imphal: A gunfight broke out between two armed groups in Manipur's Imphal West district on Monday evening, police said.Armed men were firing at the lowlying areas of Koutruk in Imphal West from the hilltops of Kangpokpi district, they said. It was being retaliated by armed "village volunteers", they added. Elders, women and children were being moved to safer places, officials said. Additional security forces were being sent to the area to control the situation, they said. Security forces seized several arms, ammunition and IEDs during search operations in hill and valley districts of Manipur during the last three days, a statement issued by Assam Rifles said on Monday.

On Saturday, a joint team of Assam Rifles and Manipur police during an operation at L Khonomphai village jungle in Churachandpur district, seized one .303 rifle, two 9 mm pistols, six 12 single barrel rifle, one .22 rifle, ammunition and other war-like stores, it said. In another operation by the joint team between S Choungoubung and the Maohing of Kangpokpi district, one 5.56mm INSAS Rifle, one point 303 rifle, two SBBL guns, two 0.22 pistols, two improvised projectile launchers, grenades, ammunition were also seized. On Sunday, a joint team of Assam Rifles, Manipur Police and BSF launched an intelligence-based operation to recover arms and ammunition in general area of Utangpokpi in Kakching district during which one 0.22 rifle, ammunition and other war-like stores were seized.

The seized items have been handed over to Manipur Police, it said, adding "The successful recovery of these warlike stores highlights the seamless cooperation between the Indian Army, Assam Rifles and other law enforcement agencies." attack, according to the police. More than 200 people have been killed and thousands rendered homeless in ethnic violence between Imphal Valley-based Meiteis and adjoining hillsbased Kuki-Zo groups since May last year. Ethnically diverse Jiribam, which was largely untouched by the clashes in Imphal Valley and the adjoining hills, witnessed violence after the mutilated body of a farmer was found in a field in June this year. Thousands had to leave their homes and take shelter in relief camps due to incidents of arson.