Imphal, February 28: Tensions escalated in Manipur’s Imphal East district on Friday as unidentified militants opened fire at Kongba Maru, a sacred religious site for Meiteis. The attack, which originated from the adjoining hills, occurred at around 9:30 AM while devotees, under heavy security cover, gathered to offer prayers.
Officials confirmed that at least seven rounds were fired, but no casualties were reported. Following the incident, additional security forces were deployed to the area to prevent further escalation.
The firing led to public outrage, with locals from nearby villages taking to the streets to block vehicular traffic in protest. This is not the first instance of unrest at Kongba Maru; earlier incidents of vandalism were reported at the temple, allegedly carried out by miscreants from Kangpokpi district’s hill areas.
The attack comes amid an ongoing mass surrender of illegal firearms across the state. Earlier in the day, Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla extended the deadline for the voluntary surrender of looted and illegal weapons until 4 PM on March 6, following demands from both hill and valley communities for additional time. The initial deadline, set on February 20, saw over 300 firearms surrendered, primarily in the valley districts.
Manipur has been grappling with ethnic violence between the Meitei and Kuki-Zo communities since May 2023, resulting in over 250 deaths and thousands being displaced. The unrest led to the imposition of President’s Rule on February 13, following the resignation of Chief Minister N. Biren Singh. The state assembly, which remains under suspended animation, was originally set to function until 2027.
With tensions still high, security measures have been intensified across conflict-prone areas as authorities continue efforts to restore stability in the state.
