In Guwahati, India, armed militants have killed a senior police officer and injured two others in separate attacks in the state of Manipur. These incidents of violence are the latest in a series of clashes in the region, with ethnic conflicts resulting in the deaths of at least 180 individuals this year.
A spokesperson from the police reported that the militants targeted a sub-divisional police officer (SDPO) while he was supervising the construction of a helipad in Moreh, a trading town situated on the border with Myanmar.
The ethnic clashes in Manipur began on May 3, originating from disputes between the majority Meitei ethnic group and the minority Kuki tribe over the distribution of government benefits and quotas for employment and education.
Despite the deployment of additional security personnel, violence has persisted following the peak of the clashes. This presents a significant security failure for the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The police spokesperson stated that the militants responsible for the attack on the senior official were affiliated with the Kuki community. As of now, no arrests have been made. The Meitei group constitutes 53% of the population in Manipur, while the Kuki tribe accounts for 16%.
In response to the incident, N. Biren Singh, the chief minister of Manipur, expressed his deep sorrow in a social media post, stating, “I am deeply saddened by the cold-blooded killing of SDPO Chingtham Anand…. The perpetrators will be brought to justice.”
In a separate occurrence, militants ambushed a security convoy near the village of Sinam in Tengnoupal district, injuring two policemen.
A senior police official, who requested anonymity, informed Reuters that both injured officers were taken to a local hospital with multiple bullet wounds.
Zarir Hussain reported on this story, while Shivam Patel wrote it. Jonathan Oatis handled the editing.
