Manipur Chief Minister's convoy attacked, one security person injured

Imphal: Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh's convoy on way to tension-gripped Jiribam from Imphal, was attacked in an ambush by armed militants in the Kangpokpi district on Monday, in which one security person was injured.

According to sources from the Chief Minister's office, the convoy was en route to Jiribam district from Imphal when it came under attack along the National Highway-37 around 10.30 AM.

Sources added that Chief Minister was planning to visit Jiribam, which has been gripped by unrest over the past few days after unknown miscreants killed a man on June 6. Biren Singh was planning to visit the region on Tuesday. The killing of the man in Jiribam led to the torching of around 70 houses, including a few government offices, and hundreds of citizens fleeing the area.

The man, a 59-year-old farmer from the Meitei community, was killed. Identified as Soibam Saratkumar Singh, he went missing while returning from his farm, the police said, adding his body had wounds inflicted by sharp object.

The incident contributed to the ethnic tension underway in Manipur since last year. Nearly 239 Meitei people, mostly women and children, were evacuated from peripheral areas of Jiribam on Friday (June 7) and moved to a newly set up relief camp at a multi-sports complex in the district.

Prohibitory orders were imposed  in Jiribam after locals, angered over the farmer's killing, set a few abandoned structures on fire after recovery of his body.

Locals also protested in front of the Jiribam Police Station, demanding the return of their licenced firearms, which had been confiscated during the elections.

Jiribam, home to Meiteis, Muslims, Nagas, Kukis, and non-Manipuris, had previously remained unaffected by the ethnic strife. The conflict between Imphal valley-based Meiteis and hills-based Kukis has resulted in more than 200 deaths and left thousands homeless.

*With Agency Inputs.