Imphal: Nine more people were injured in a gunfight in Khamenlok area in Imphal East district in strife-torn Manipur as the exchange of fire between militants and village volunteers continued till late on Monday night, police said. Initially, three casualties were reported, but the number mounted as the gun-battle continued before both sides withdrew, a police officer said.
The village volunteers also burnt a few makeshift bunkers and a watch-tower built by the militants, he said. The area lies along the borders of Meitei-dominated Imphal East district and tribal-majority Kangpokpi district. The injured have been admitted to local hospitals, where the condition of one injured person is stated to be critical while others are out of danger, authorities of the medical establishments said.
Security forces have been deployed in the area in large numbers to prevent further outbreak of violence and to carry out area domination exercises. Heavy firing between village volunteers and militants erupted in the area on Monday. No major incident was reported in the area for three days before that.