Tribal village guard in Manipur shot killed by unidentified guys; three injured

GUWAHATI: On Sunday, during a post-midnight assault in Kangpokpi district, an unidentified gunman shot and killed a tribal village guard, following the deaths of two CRPF soldiers in Manipur’s Bishnupur district the day before. There were, allegedly three more injuries.

Lammang Kipgen, 44, a father of five, lived in the Sadar Hills’ L Molsang hamlet. In protest of the killings, the Committee for Tribal Unity declared a 12-hour closure of the region.

“Kipgen and his village volunteer comrades were hit by a barrage of gunfire as the enemy launched ceaseless onslaught. He had every reason to refrain from endangering his life, together with the wealthiest family a man could ask for. However, he offered to defend one of the most dangerous frontlines,” the Indigenous Tribal Leaders’ Forum (ITLF), situated in Churachandpur, said. On Sunday morning, local volunteers from two rival villages engaged in gunfire in Koutruk village, Imphal West. Since violence broke out in the state in May of last year, this community has been among the worst-hit. There were no confirmed reports of injuries. Villagers were relocated to areas that were safer.