Imphal: A renewed gunfight between Naga and Kuki volunteers broke out in the Chassad area of Manipur's Kamjong district on Wednesday evening, following an operation by security forces to destroy several bunkers built by armed groups at Litan and Mongkot Chepu in Ukhrul district.
According to reports, the fresh firing began around 5 PM on Wednesday, hours after a public shed near a paddy field in Sinakeithei (Ukhrul) was set on fire by suspected Kuki militants at around 2 PM.
The gunfight, which continued intermittently until 8 PM, forced residents, mostly women and children, to flee the Chassad Kuki village to safety, local sources reported.
A Manipur Police morning bulletin issued on Thursday stated that, in continuation of the operation launched on Tuesday, security forces dismantled six more illegally constructed bunkers on Wednesday at Litan and Mongkot Chepu.
Following this action, the majority of bunkers in the violence-affected Litan area have been rendered ineffective.
Troops have been strategically deployed and are maintaining high alert to prevent further escalation, with area domination ensured through increased patrolling.
The incident follows violent exchanges on Tuesday in Litan, which left three people injured, including two Tangkhul Naga civilians and one individual from the Kuki community. Another person from the Kuki community was injured on Monday, according to reports.