Two killed, six injured in Manipur factional clashes

Fresh firing between suspected ZUF-Jenchui and ZUF-Kamson cadres in Manipur's Noney district left one cadre dead and six injured on Saturday, a day after another factional clash killed a ZUF-Kamson member in Oktan village. The back-to-back incidents have raised concerns over escalation in the Noney-Haochong area despite the outfit being under a Cessation of Operations pact.

In Short

• Fresh gunfire reported near Noney district headquarters early Saturday
• Local Meira Paibi and police could not access firing site due to security
• Earlier clash in Oktan village left one dead from ZUF-Kamson faction

Two people were killed and six others injured in suspected clashes between two factions of the Zeliangrong United Front (ZUF) in Manipur's Noney district over the past 24 hours, with fresh gunfire reported on Saturday morning.

FRESH GUNFIRE REPORTED IN NONEY

Fresh gunfire was reported around 6 am on Saturday between Nungtek Part II and Haochong, around 5 km northeast of the Noney district headquarters in Manipur. Officials said the firing was suspected to involve cadres of the ZUF-Jenchui and ZUF-Kamson factions.

Local Meira Paibi members, or women torch-bearers, along with police personnel, reportedly attempted to enter the area but could not reach the spot due to security concerns.

Security forces later confirmed that one cadre of the ZUF-Jenchui faction was killed, and six others were injured in the gunfight.

The deceased was identified as Jangailung, 29, a self-styled 2nd Lieutenant of the outfit from Muktina village. He sustained multiple bullet and splinter injuries during the firing.

The six injured were evacuated and are undergoing treatment at two different hospitals in Imphal, officials said.

Officials familiar with the matter said armed cadres suspected to be from the ZUF-Kamson faction carried out an ambush at Nungtek village. The heavy exchange of fire continued for several minutes and also involved explosives.

ONE KILLED IN EARLIER CLASH

Saturday's firing came a day after an internal clash between the same two ZUF factions was reportedly reported in Oktan village.

According to a police report, the clash took place between around 3.30 pm and 4 pm in Oktan village under Haochong sub-division.

Police received reliable information about the gunfire following which one cadre, reportedly belonging to the ZUF-Kamson faction, succumbed to bullet injuries.

The deceased was identified as Dingtiplung Gonmei alias Nguiba Gonmei, a self-styled chief secretary of ZUF-K, officials said.

The two incidents within a day have raised concerns over a possible escalation of factional clashes in the Noney-Haochong area of Noney district.

However, there was no official confirmation of any additional casualties in Saturday morning's firing. There was also no official statement from either of the two armed groups.

ZUF UNDER CESSATION OF OPERATIONS PACT

The Zeliangrong United Front is an armed underground outfit that is under a tripartite Cessation of Operations (CoO) pact with the Government of India and the Manipur government.

The peace agreement and CoO pact were signed in New Delhi on December 27 and 28, 2022.

Under the agreement, a Joint Monitoring Group was formed to monitor adherence to the established ground rules.

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