Gunmen attacked Koutruk village in Imphal West district from the hilltops, leading to retaliation by an armed group from the village. There was fierce gunfight which spread to the adjacent villages of Kadangband and Senjam Chirang.
Due to the gun battle, villagers including women, children and elderly persons, fled to safer places. Bullet shells pierced the walls of the houses of the villagers.
Country-made mortar shells known as ‘Pumpi’ were also used in the firing and caused panic among residents, a police official said. A huge contingent of central and state security forces has been rushed to the area to bring the situation under control.
On Saturday, two Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel, including a sub-inspector, were killed while two others were injured in firing and bomb blast gunfight after armed groups attacked a camp of security forces in Bishnupur district.
At least 220 people have been killed, 1,500 injured and 60,000 displaced since violence broke out between the Meitei and Kuki-Zomi communities on May 3 last year.
