Violence broke out again in Kangpokpi, Manipur, on Friday evening, leading to an attack on the Deputy Commissioner's office and injuries to a police officer.
According to the police, a group marched toward the Deputy Commissioner's office and targeted the administrative headquarters in Kangpokpi, a hilly district primarily inhabited by the Kuki and other tribal communities. The situation in the area remains extremely tense.
This incident comes just three days after a major standoff in the Saibol area of Kangpokpi district. Women from the Kuki community protested the deployment of security forces in response to a recent gunfight in the region.
Large groups of women from nearby villages gathered to block operations by joint security forces, including personnel from the Border Security Force (BSF), Indian Army, and Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF).
The protests followed a December 29 security operation during which forces cleared the area of armed militants and destroyed bunkers.
The latest violence occurred only days after Manipur Chief Minister N. Biren Singh apologised for the ethnic clashes that have plagued the state since May 2023. Singh urged people to "forgive and forget" the past and assured them that efforts were being made to restore peace.
Addressing the media in Imphal, Singh, who has faced criticism for his handling of the crisis, emphasised that the situation in Manipur was gradually improving.
The state has been witnessing sporadic violence since May 3, 2023, stemming from disputes between the Meitei majority and the Kuki community over reservations and economic benefits.
The ongoing conflict has claimed over 200 lives and forced thousands of people to flee their homes.
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