Violence flares in Indian state of Manipur, death toll reaches 54

Nepal Views

Kathmandu: As the violence keeps flaring in the Indian state of Manipur, the death toll has increased to 54.

Official said that the death toll in the Manipur carnage increased to 54. However some unofficial sources put the figure at several scores.

Of the 54 dead, 16 bodies were kept in the morgue of the Churachandpur district hospital while 15 bodies were in Jawaharlal Nehru Institute of Medical Sciences in Imphal East district. The Regional Institute of Medical Sciences at Lamphel in Imphal West district reported 23 dead, the official said.

Life returned to a wary normalcy in Imphal Valley on Saturday as shops and markets reopened and cars started plying on the roads.

Security presence which has been bolstered by flying in more army troops and rapid action force and central police forces was clearly visible at all major areas and roads.

Most shops and markets in Imphal town and other places opened in the morning with people buying vegetables and other essential commodities even as security forces were deployed in large numbers.

Meanwhile, five hill-based militants were killed and two India Reserve Battalion jawans were injured in two separate encounters in Churachandpur district on Friday night, police said.

An encounter took place at Saiton in Churachandpur district between the security forces and the militants in which four militants were gunned down, the police said.

Militants opened fire at security forces at Torbung forcing them to return the fire. In the exchange of fire one militant was killed and two IRB jawans were injured, the police said.

A Defence spokesperson said a total of 13,000 people were rescued and shifted to safe shelters, some in army camps as the army brought Churachandpur, Moreh, Kakching and Kangpokpi districts under its ‘firm control’.

IRS (Indian Revenue Service) Association also said a tax assistant identified as Letminthang Haokip had been killed in Imphal. This comes a day after a CRPF constable identified as Chonkholen Haokip, who was on leave, was shot dead when he tried to stop men setting a village on fire.