Tue Nov 12 17:24:00 UTC 2024: ## Manipur Violence Escalates: 6 Missing, 10 Killed in Jiribam Encounter

**Jiribam, Manipur:** Tensions in Manipur escalated on Saturday after a fierce gunfight between suspected Kuki insurgents and security forces in Jiribam, leaving 10 dead and six people missing, including three children and three women.

The Manipur Police confirmed that the encounter took place on Friday afternoon near the Borobekra police station, where suspected militants attacked the station and a nearby CRPF camp. The police claim the militants were heavily armed, including a rocket-propelled grenade (RPG) launcher, INSAS, and AK assault rifles.

The CRPF retaliated, resulting in a 45-minute gunfight. The police have released images of the weapons recovered from the scene, including the RPG launcher.

However, Kuki civil society groups have disputed the police account, claiming the 10 killed were not insurgents but village volunteers and that the CRPF opened fire without provocation. They have demanded a thorough investigation into the incident.

The Kuki Students’ Organisation (KSO) has called for a non-cooperation movement against the CRPF in Kuki-dominated areas, banning them from leaving their camp premises.

The incident comes amidst a backdrop of escalating violence between the Meitei and Kuki communities, which has been ongoing since May 2023. The latest violence began on Thursday when suspected Meitei insurgents attacked a Hmar village, killing a woman who was allegedly raped and set on fire.

The following day, a Meitei woman was shot dead in Bishnupur district, allegedly by suspected Kuki militants.

The two communities have accused each other of instigating violence, with both Meitei and Kuki civil society groups holding protests and calling for shutdowns in their respective areas.

The Manipur Police are currently conducting search and rescue operations for the missing people. They have warned that the Assam Rifles, Border Security Force, and Central Reserve Police Force will retaliate if fired upon.

The incident highlights the deep-seated tensions and lack of trust between the two communities and the security forces operating in the region. It also raises concerns about the role of insurgent groups in perpetuating violence and the impartiality of central security forces in the conflict.

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