Newsinc24 Team 
Militants ambushed 14 Meitei men, killing three of them in Manipur on Monday. The attack sparked protests in the state, which has been plagued by ethnic violence since May 2023, with locals placing the bodies outside the chief minister's residence and police firing tear gas shells to disperse them. Four others were also injured in the militant attack, which was perpetrated at a place near the border of Meitei-majority Imphal East and Kuki-majority Kangpokpi districts.
Security forces launched a combing operation in the Sunurok hills of Kangpokpi district, and Chief Minister Y Khemchand Singh directed officials to strengthen security measures in vulnerable areas.
ADGP (Law and Order) Lhari Dorjee Lhatoo said, "Around 9.40 am on Monday, unidentified militants opened fire on a group of 14 Meitei villagers who were engaged in cutting and transporting firewood. The exact spot is Sunurok hills under the Sagolmang Police Station." "Three individuals died in the incident while three more sustained injuries and they are now under medical care," the police officer said.
Imphal East, Manipur: ADGP Lhari Dorjee says, "Today at around 9:40 AM, unidentified armed militants opened fire on a group of 14 Meitei villagers who were engaged in cutting and transporting firewood ahead of Khongbal Tangkhul area—the exact spot is Solulok Hill under Sagolmang Police Station. In the incident, three individuals succumbed to bullet injuries. Three other individuals have also sustained injuries. The injured have been safely evacuated and are undergoing further medical treatment. Various inputs regarding the persons involved have already been received. The matter is under thorough investigation, and after due process, we will ensure all necessary action will be taken to punish the perpetrators of such heinous crimes. Police and security forces are taking the matter with utmost concern. Necessary security measures have been put in place, and the situation is being very closely monitored. Even as we speak, operations are on in the area with joint teams of police, COBRA, CRPF, Assam Rifles, and BSF, and more int-based operations are in the offing on priority. Sniffer dogs and drones are being used, and helicopter surveillance has also commenced..."
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An official said Arubam Ronil (35) and Lairenlakpam Inaobi (51) died on the spot, while Kshetrimayum Sushil (32) succumbed to injuries at a private hospital. The injured -- N Suraj (19), Meisnam Somendro (53) and K Bosan (45) -- were undergoing treatment. They were among the 14 people who had gone to the hills near their village around 7 am to collect firewood and were ambushed by militants, the official said.
The fresh killing sparked a massive protest, with locals bringing the bodies to the state capital and placing them outside the main gate of the chief minister's residence in Babupara. It was not immediately known whether the chief minister was at the residence during the protest. Protesters blocked a road at Khurai Lamlong while a group of women staged a demonstration at Ema Keithel in Imphal. Markets and shops across Imphal shuttered.
With Manipur slated to go to polls next year, the Congress slammed the state government over the militant attack. The Congress demanded Singh's resignation and slammed the government, alleging that "continued killings have made people feel orphaned". Congress Legislative Party (CLP) leader Keisham Meghachandra expressed deep sorrow over the death and alleged that the government has failed to restore peace and normalcy in Manipur.
The CLP leader also demanded that Y Khemchand Singh resign as chief minister, taking moral responsibility for the "deteriorating situation". "The people of Manipur deserve a government capable of ensuring the safety of every citizen, irrespective of community."
