Northeast Desk, 14th February: A tense situation unfolded as security personnel opened fire to disperse a group of ‘village volunteers’ attempting to enter the Manipur Police Training College (MPTC) in Pangei, Imphal East district. At least one person, identified as 24-year-old Okram Sanaton, was fatally wounded during the altercation.
Reports suggest that the village volunteers sought to access the premises, purportedly to acquire firearms, as indicated in their social media posts citing the need for additional weapons to defend against potential attackers. However, officials have refrained from disclosing the exact motive behind their attempt to breach the police facility, which houses a substantial arsenal.
The incident occurred on Tuesday night when a large gathering of local youths, predominantly village volunteers, converged at the MPTC gates and attempted to breach the premises, with some succeeding in their endeavor. Security personnel initially employed tear gas shells to disperse the crowd, resorting to live rounds to regain control of the situation.
A forensic team has been dispatched to investigate the matter, as tension continues to escalate in areas encompassing Khurai and Khundrakpam assembly constituencies. The unrest follows a fierce exchange of gunfire between armed factions of rival communities in Pukhao Shantipur, Imphal East district, and adjoining regions of the Khamenlok hill range in Kangpokpi district.
The conflict underscores the longstanding ethnic tensions between valley-based Meiteis and hills-based Kukis, resulting in numerous casualties and displacements since May of the previous year. The term ‘village volunteers’ refers to armed civilian youths tasked with safeguarding villages along the periphery of Imphal Valley and adjacent hills to counter potential attacks from rival communities.
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