Imphal: One person was killed and three others injured in a gunfight between village volunteers of two warring communities in ethnic strife-torn Manipur's Kangpokpi district on Sunday, police said.
Dozens of gunmen had attacked Koutruk in Imphal West district on Sunday morning from elevated hilltops of neighbouring Kangpokpi district prompting village volunteers, deployed in the fringe village, to retaliate, the police said.
Exchange of fire gradually spread to adjacent villages of Kadangband and Senjam Chirang, they said.
Some of the bullets reportedly pieced walls of the homes of the villagers. Women, children and the elderly had to be evacuated to safe areas nearby.
Locally made mortar shells known as 'Pumpi' were also fired on the village, creating panic among its residents, he said.
Security personnel rushed to the area to bring the situation under control.
Koutruk village has been witness to intense gunfights between village volunteers of two warring communities since ethnic violence broke out on May 3 last year. It has been identified as one of the most vulnerable areas for gun attacks.
More than 200 people have been killed and thousands rendered homeless in ethnic strife between Imphal Valley-based Meiteis and adjoining hills-based Kukis since May 3 last year.
Meanwhile, denouncing the killing, the Kangpokpi district-based Committee on Tribal Unity (COTU) has called for a 12-hour shutdown in the district from noon of April 28.
Published 28 April 2024, 04:50 IST