Officer H Jiten died and five other policemen were injured when suspected Kuki militants ambushed their team in Bishnupur district, police sources said. One of the injured is serious. Other forces are trying to track down the attackers. On Wednesday, an Assam Rifles jawan was injured during firing by unidentified criminals in Imphal East district.
The kidnappings took place in Churachandpur’s Torbung Bangla, where the three Meitei and a military man had gone out to harvest paddy from a partially burnt barn when the conflict broke out on 3 May. BSF camp nearby. Security forces have launched a hunt to track down the trio.
Overall, the Army and Central Forces have maintained vigilance in sensitive areas while curfews have been eased in multiple pockets, including Imphal West. Mobile Internet will remain suspended until May 13th.
At least 68 people have died and more than 45,000 have been made homeless in the violence since May 3 after a “tribal solidarity march” in the 10 hill districts to protest the Meiteis’ bid for ST status.