At least three persons were killed and two were injured in fresh violence in Manipur early on Friday after armed miscreants attacked Khoken, a Kuki village situated on the boundary of the Kangpokpi and Imphal West districts.
Manipur has witnessed ethnic clashes between Meiteis and Kukis since May 3 that have left more than 100 persons dead, over 300 injured and thousands displaced. However, on Thursday, security advisor to the state government, Kuldiep Singh, had said that there had been no violence in the state in the preceding 48 hours.
Those who died on Friday were identified as a 67-year-old woman named Domkhohoi Haokip, a 37-year-old man named Jangpao Touthang and a 52-year-old man named Khaimang Guite, according to Thongkhup Doungel, the younger brother of the Khoken village chief. Haokip, a farmer, was found dead in a church.
The three persons died after unidentified miscreants fired at them, Kangpokpi Superintendent of Police Manoj Prabhakar M told Scroll.
Doungel claimed that the attackers were Meitei militants who were disguised in police uniforms and used police vehicles.
“Around 4.30 am, about 20 armed people surrounded the village and started the firing,” he said. “They [attackers] were wearing police dress of Manipur Police and IRB [India Reserve Battalion]. They left after firing.