New Delhi: Fresh violence broke out on Tuesday, August 29, in the adjoining villages of Naransena in Manipur, claiming the lives of two people.One of them belonged to the Kuki-Zo community.The victim, identified as Jangminlun Gangte, aged 30, was shot in the Khoirentak area of Churachandpur.Speaking to The Wire, Francis, Jangminlun’s cousin, alleged, “He was killed by the Manipur police commandos during their attack on our village, Khousabung.”Khousabung is only 5 kilometres away from Naransena.Jangminlun had been on duty since May 15, overseeing local volunteers on the frontline. According to the ITLF, intense gunfire broke out when village volunteers retaliated, leading to his death.Francis had spoken with Jangminlun, before he headed to the frontline. During the conversation, he had said, “Take care of my family in case I don’t make it, and please don’t cry because I’m sacrificing today for a better tomorrow.”The other person has been identified as Laibunjam Inao (27). He was shot in the head.According to local reports, he was taken to Raj Medicity, but died on the way to the hospital.The press statement issued by the Manipur Police Control Room said: “On 29.08.2023, a firing incident occurred between armed miscreants in the adjoining villages of Naransena, resulting in 02 fatalities and 07 individuals sustaining bullet or splinter injuries. District Police, AR, Army, and CAPF forces deployed in the area promptly responded and managed to bring the situation under control.”Just ten days ago, three individuals lost their lives in the Kuki village of Thowai Kuki. The victims were identified as Thangkhokai Haokip (35), Jamkhogin Haokip (26), and Hollenson Baite (24).In the ongoing violence in Manipur, over 150 people have died, and less than half of the deceased’s families have received a compensation of Rs 5 lakh as against the promised Rs 10 lakh.Jangminlun’s family has not yet registered a first information report (FIR), till the time of going to press.Sources told The Wire that in the Churachandpur district, 4,036 zero FIRs have been registered, including 12 crimes against women – six each at the Churachandpur police station and women’s police station. Furthermore, 1,283 regular FIRs have been registered, and 1,622 FIRs originally filed in other districts have been converted into regular FIRs.Notably, this incident transpired on the same day as the Manipur government’s first assembly session, during which three resolutions were passed in the House, according to information provided by the governor’s office.These resolutions included a commitment to maintaining harmony without discrimination, an aspiration for peace through dialogue, and an appeal to renounce violence. Opposition MLAs from the Congress party demanded a two-minute silence in honour of those killed in the violence and sought an extension of the single-day session to five days.However, Speaker Thokchom Satyabrata Singh adjourned the session in 11 minutes.This report had erroneously said that fresh violence claimed lives of three people. It has been corrected to say that two people have died in the firing incident.
