Guwahati: A day after the protest that started after Manipur chief minister N Biren Singh’s statement rejecting demand of separate administration for Kuki-Zo , fresh violence broke out in peripheral area of Imphal on Sunday in which a woman was killed, and her 12-year-old daughter was injured in firing by suspected insurgents. Two policemen were also injured, both are stated to be out of danger, security sources said, adding that the firing started from Nakhujang village in Kangpokpi towards Kadangband in Imphal West at 2.35 pm. Though police were tight-lipped about the fresh violence, residents in the Kadangband area said that at least one drone dropped a “bomb” on a house in the area. They also claimed to have shared purported visuals of the drone dropping a bomb, while people ran for cover. Security sources, however, said they are yet to look into this claim. Sources said that a woman, identified as Ngangbam Surbala, 31, was brought dead at the Regional Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS) in the state capital Imphal, 45 km from Kangpokpi. It is significant that Kangpokpi is a Kuki-dominated area, while Imphal West is in the Meitei-dominated valley. The Kuki tribes and the Meitei community have been fighting since May 2023 over a range of issues. While members of the Meitei community claimed “Kuki terrorists” killed the woman, social media users from the Kuki tribes alleged the Meiteis began firing at Kuki villages in Kangpokpi first. Tension had gripped the state and a protest broke out in Manipur a day after the Manipur chief minister in an interview rejected the demand for separate administration while assuring peace within 5-6 months. Mr Singh, facing accusations by Kukis of orchestrating violence, stated PM Narendra Modi’s visit is unnecessary given current support. “This state can’t be broken or have a separate administration. We will not allow this,” said the chief minister in an interview that triggered a massive protest by the Kuki-Zo community on Saturday.
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