A mob allegedly tried to loot weapons from an Indian Reserve Battalion (IRB) camp in Manipur’s Thoubal district on Tuesday, leading to an encounter with security forces in which a 27-year-old man was killed and an Assam Riles jawan was shot dead. in, sources said.
The mob tried to attack the camp of 3rd Battalion IRB in Khangabok area to loot arms and ammunition, they said.
Soon there was a clash with the forces. The forces tried to bring the situation under control and initially used tear gas and rubber bullets. But when the armed mob opened fire, the forces fired back, sources said.
The mob also blocked roads leading to the camp at several places to prevent reinforcements from reaching there, but the forces got through, they said.
The mob attacked the Assam Rifles team which was on its way to the camp. They fired at Assam Rifles personnel in which a jawan was injured and set their vehicle on fire, sources said. The jawan was shot in the leg, they said.
A man, identified as Ronaldo, was shot during the clashes. He was first taken to Thoubal District Hospital but was later referred to Imphal Hospital as his condition was critical. He died on his way to the state capital, sources said.
Another ten were injured in the clashes, they said. The situation is currently under control, they added.
Violence first erupted in the state after a ‘Tribal Solidarity March’ was organized in the hill districts on May 3 to protest against the Meitei community’s demand for Scheduled Tribe (ST) status. So far, more than 100 people have died and several hundred have been injured, in addition to thousands taking refuge in relief camps.
The Meiteis constitute about 53 percent of Manipur’s population and live mainly in the Imphal Valley. The tribal Nagas and Kukis make up another 40 percent of the population and live in the mountainous regions.
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