CRPF man injured as fresh gunfight, arson hit Manipur

A Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) jawan sustained injuries during a gunfight with unidentified armed individuals in Manipur's Senapati district on Monday. The clash followed the arson of two houses belonging to the Kuki and Poumai Naga communities. Officials reported that the injured jawan, identified as Sub-Inspector Pradeep Singh, was evacuated and hospitalized, and is now out of danger.

Local residents reacted to the violence by staging a protest and blocking National Highway 2 at Senapati headquarters. The Taphou Kuki Village authority condemned the burning of a Kuki house and issued a 24-hour ultimatum for the perpetrators to claim responsibility and resolve the matter according to community law.

Tension has been simmering between the Naga and Kuki communities in the region since May 13, when twin ambushes occurred at different locations. On the same day, 48 civilians from Naga and Kuki-Zo communities were reportedly kidnapped by both groups amidst retaliatory tensions. While most hostages were later released, six Naga men were found dead near Kharam Vaiphei, a Kuki village, in the Kangpokpi district.

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He (the injured jawan) was evacuated and admitted to the Senapati district hospital; he is now out of danger.