13 killed in Manipur gunfight near Myanmar border, not local residents
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Imphal: Near the India-Myanmar border, 13 men lost their lives in a gunfight in Manipur, yet reports suggest they were not residents of the area and might have been passing through when they clashed with another armed group.
The altercation occurred in Leithao village in Tengnoupal district, merely 10 kilometers from the international border. The deceased individuals' bodies were transported to the Jawaharlal Nehru Institute of Medical Sciences in Imphal for further proceedings, reported NDTV.
Manipur Police, in an official statement, confirmed the fatalities and indicated an ongoing investigation into the matter.
The police statement said, "On 04.12.2023, in a gunfight between unknown armed miscreants at Leithao village near Saibol in Tengnoupal District under Machi Police Station, 13 (thirteen) persons have been killed. District police and security forces rushed to the spot, a case has been registered and an investigation is going on."
Sources within the security forces deployed in Manipur revealed that the individuals involved in the altercation might have been engaged in a confrontation with a rival group, leading to the fatal outcome.
Although Manipur Police have refrained from divulging details regarding the identity of the deceased, labeling them as "armed miscreants," reports from sources suggest that these individuals were not local residents and might have been passing through the area.
There are suspicions within the security forces that the deceased individuals could have affiliations with an underground group, yet this remains subject to further investigation.
Amidst these events, a video purportedly linked to the incident has surfaced but has been debunked by Manipur Police. In a cautionary post, the police department stated, "A video of Myanmar is being circulated as an incident related to Manipur. The public is requested not to circulate fake news. Legal action will be initiated against the spreading of such fake news."
This disturbing incident of violence has occurred against the backdrop of ongoing unrest in Manipur since May, which has resulted in over 180 lives lost and rendered several thousands homeless.
