A day after an intense gunfight in Manipur’s Jiribam district left eleven suspected militants dead, the atmosphere remained calm but tense Tuesday morning. The district administration, aiming to prevent further violence, has imposed prohibitory orders in vulnerable areas, with security personnel maintaining a strong presence.
The incident unfolded Monday when insurgents, reportedly wearing camouflage and armed with advanced weapons, launched a surprise assault on a police station and a nearby CRPF camp in the Borobekra area of Jiribam. Security forces responded swiftly, resulting in a fierce exchange of fire that lasted approximately 40-45 minutes. During the confrontation, eleven suspected militants were killed, while two CRPF personnel sustained injuries; one of them remains in critical condition.
Following the attack, the Kuki-Zo Council declared a day-long shutdown in the hill districts, predominantly populated by the Kuki-Zo community, to protest the killing of the suspected insurgents. The shutdown, starting at 5 a.m. Tuesday, has largely affected daily life, with shops and services in Kuki-Zo areas temporarily closed as residents mourn and show solidarity.
Meanwhile, authorities reported that militants set fire to several shops and houses around Jakurador Karong market, Borobekra police station, and the adjacent CRPF camp, adding to the destruction in the wake of the initial gunfight. Reinforcements from Assam Rifles, CRPF, and local police have been deployed in the area to secure the sites and prevent further flare-ups.
In the hours following the Borobekra incident, fresh violence erupted in Imphal Valley, where opposing armed groups engaged in sporadic exchanges of gunfire across various villages in Imphal West and Imphal East districts. The police have been conducting ongoing operations to locate any missing individuals and flush out remaining militants in the affected areas.
As Manipur faces an escalating security situation, law enforcement agencies are on high alert to contain any further violence and maintain peace across the state.