Fresh violence broke out in strife-torn Manipur on Tuesday after a heavy exchange of firing was reported in Koutruk village in Imphal West district.
According to villagers, they heard gunshots and mortar bombs coming from the hilly terrain around 12 pm.
Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI) coordinator Jeetendra Ningomba said armed militants launched an attack on Koutruk village.
He demanded that the Unified Command, formed to maintain security in Manipur, should be taken back from Security Advisor Kuldeip Singh, citing a complete breakdown of law and order in the state.
The Unified Command was given to Singh after ethnic violence broke out between Valley-majority Meiteis and hill-majority Kukis on May 3 last year. Before the violence, the Unified Command was usually chaired by the Chief Minister.
During his visit to Manipur last year, Union Home Minister Amit Shah said several agencies were working to maintain security in the strife-torn state.
“For better and unbiased coordination amongst them, an inter-agency, Unified Command structure under the chairmanship of state security adviser and former CRPF DG, Kuldeip Singh, will come into force from today,” Shah said on June 2.
Over 180 people have died and thousands of others have been internally displaced in Manipur, which continues to witness sporadic incidents of violence.
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