Northeast Desk, 24th January: A member of the Assam Rifles reportedly fired at fellow colleagues in a camp near the Indo-Myanmar border in South Manipur, before turning the weapon on himself. According to the Manipur Police, the incident left six non-Manipuri colleagues injured, all of whom have been transported to the Military Hospital and are said to be in stable condition.
The Manipur Police on its X handle wrote, “There has been an incident of firing by an Assam Rifles Jawan in an ASSAM RIFLES BATTALION deployed close to the Indo-Myanmar border in South Manipur.”
Amidst the backdrop of ethnic tensions in Manipur, the police emphasized the need for transparent communication to dispel potential rumors and prevent unwarranted speculation. The statement underlines that the incident should not be linked to the ongoing conflict, as none of the injured individuals are from Manipur.
“In light of the ongoing ethnic strife in Manipur, it is important to share the details of the incident transparently to dispel any potential rumours and avoid any speculation. This unfortunate incident should not be correlated with ongoing conflict, given the fact that none of the injured are from Manipur,” reads the post from Manipur police.
In response to the incident, an investigation has been initiated to establish the facts surrounding the tragedy. The police statement acknowledges the diverse composition of Assam Rifles battalions, comprising members from various communities in Manipur.
The police release did not disclose the identities of the victims, leaving the community awaiting further updates on the investigation into this unfortunate episode.