Imphal: Security personnel have begun an extensive search operation across parts of Manipur’s Noney district following a deadly overnight clash between rival armed Naga groups that left three suspected militants dead and two wounded, PTI reported.
A combined force of Manipur Police and central security agencies launched the operation in the Nungba and Kekru Naga areas on Thursday, carrying out door-to-door verification and checking the identities of residents, according to officials.
The operation, involving over 500 personnel from the district police, CRPF, CoBRA and Assam Rifles, got underway at about 3.30 am. Authorities said the cordon-and-search exercise was aimed at securing the area and identifying those connected to the violence.
The firing erupted at roughly 4 am on Wednesday in Taodaijang village, located in the Khoupum area. Officials believe the confrontation involved members of competing Naga militant factions, among them the Zeliangrong United Front (Jenchui) and opposing groups.
Locals later found the bodies of three men at the site.
The ZUF (Jenchui) said two of those killed were its cadres and named them as M Thaimei and G Kamson. The group alleged that the clash was initiated by the NSCN (IM), the ZUF (Kamson faction) and NSCN-K (Niki Sumi).
The third victim was identified as Aihung Khumba, from Pungmon Chingchen village. Officials said his association with any armed group had not yet been established.
After the shooting, residents — many of them women — rushed to the location in an effort to stop the rival factions from resuming hostilities. Using a loudspeaker, they appealed to the armed cadres to cease firing, officials said.