Manipur Violence: Elderly Meitei Farmer Shot by Suspected Kuki Insurgents in Bishnupur
GG News Bureau
Imphal, 19th June: A fresh wave of violence rocked Manipur’s Bishnupur district on Thursday after an elderly farmer from the Meitei community was shot by suspected Kuki insurgents in Phubala village, police sources confirmed.
The incident occurred around 3 PM in a paddy field, where the victim, N Dhiren, was working. He sustained a bullet injury in his arm and is currently undergoing treatment at a local hospital. Speaking from his hospital bed, Dhiren said that at least five shots were fired during the ambush.
Residents of Phubala, still reeling from the incident, said several Meitei farmers working nearby ran for cover as gunshots rang out. They claimed that similar attacks have taken place repeatedly over the past two years in the area, underscoring ongoing ethnic tensions.
A fellow villager, who narrowly escaped the attack, provided a detailed account of the firing. “I was sitting, about to prepare khaini, when they opened fire. I saw light smoke and muzzle flashes. They came down, crossed the high canal, and fired. I tried to help Dhiren but had to lie flat to save myself,” the eyewitness said in a video recorded at the scene.
Geography Aided Attackers, Say Villagers
Phubala village is located between two canals—low and high, which act as natural demarcations in the area. The foothills, believed to be the origin point for the attackers, lie about 1.6 to 2 km from the low canal, depending on the terrain.
Locals believe that the assailants descended from the foothills and took position between the canals before opening fire, bringing the Meitei farmers within range of their weapons.
Security Forces Deployed
Following the shooting, security forces were rushed to the area to secure the village and begin combing operations. Police have not issued an official statement, but the incident adds to the volatile ethnic unrest that has gripped Manipur for over a year.
The state has witnessed recurring clashes between the Meitei and Kuki communities, with multiple reports of targeted attacks, arson, and displacement since May 2023. Today’s incident threatens to further strain efforts to restore normalcy in the region.
