Imphal: A Naga Village Guard (NVG) member was killed and five others, including two personnel of the CRPF’s CoBRA unit, were injured after an exchange of fire broke out between security forces and Naga village volunteers during a search operation in Manipur’s Noney district on Wednesday, officials said.
The incident occurred around 6 am near Bitiang village in Tupul subdivision, where a CoBRA team had gone in on the basis of intelligence inputs suggesting that an NVG training camp was functioning in the area, officials said.
The deceased was identified as Lanbimei Riamei, 22, a resident of Longmai Bazar in Noney district. He suffered bullet injuries in the crossfire and later died, as reported by India Today.
Two CoBRA personnel — Head Constable Radheshyam and Constable (GD) Jitendra Kumar — were also wounded during the operation. In addition, three NVG members sustained gunshot injuries and are likely to be taken to Imphal for specialised treatment, though authorities have not yet disclosed their identities.
Shutdown Called In Protest
Following the confrontation, additional forces, including the Rapid Action Force and state police, were rushed to the spot, and search operations were continued to prevent any fresh escalation, officials said.
A security official said the exchange of fire took place during an operation launched on the basis of specific intelligence inputs. Police have not given any further details, and the exact sequence of events leading to the shooting is still being examined.
Meanwhile, the Working Committee–Joint Tribe Council, Manipur (WC-JTCM), a Naga tribal organisation, declared an emergency total shutdown across Naga-inhabited areas of the state in protest against the security action.
In a statement, the group alleged that the operation was aimed at Naga village volunteers and called it an “unprovoked attack”. It also linked the incident to the recent killing of six Naga civilians, including two church pastors, alleging that those responsible had still not been punished.
The body said the shutdown would cover movement on national highways, railway projects and other national infrastructure works passing through areas inhabited by the Inpui, Liangmai, Rongmei and Zeme communities.
Essential Services Exempted
However, it said essential services — including hospitals, educational institutions, drinking water supply, electricity and telecommunication services — would remain exempt from the shutdown.
It said the protest would remain in place until the Government of India takes what it described as “meaningful action” to arrest those responsible for the killing of the six Naga civilians and respond to its concerns over the security operation.