Security personnel stand guard amid Manipur unrest
Credit: PTI Photo
Guwahati: At least two villagers and a security personnel died in a gunfight between residents of two Naga-dominated villages in Manipur's Ukhrul district over a land dispute during Gandhi Jayanti celebrations on Wednesday.
The incident, however, is not related to the ongoing Meitei-Kuki conflict as Ukhrul is a Naga-dominated district.
The gunfight took place at around 10 am after residents of Hunphun village objected to a cleaning drive organised by a students' body, mostly represented by residents of neighbouring Hungpung village, police in Ukhrul said.
The cleaning drive was organised as part of Swacchata Hi Sewa campaign observed across the country on Wednesday to celebrate Gandhi Jayanti.
"The residents of Hungpung village objected to the drive claiming that it was done in some areas belonging to their village. The two villages had a land dispute for a long time and some houses were also burnt a few days ago due to the conflict. Today, the tension escalated following the cleaning drive and this led to a gunfight between residents of the two villages," a police officer in Ukhrul, said.
The officer said one of the deceased is a personnel of Manipur Rifles. The central security forces were also rushed to block the way between the two villages and the violence was controlled. Several other residents received injuries due to the gunfire and use of sharp weapons, the police official said.
The Ukhrul district administration immediately clamped curfew and restricted mobile internet networks in order to prevent further tension and spread of rumours over the incident.
An official said the situation would be reviewed on Thursday to take further decisions regarding the curfew and suspension of mobile internet.