After a span of 13 days of relative calm, Manipur witnessed renewed violence as three Village Defence Volunteers (VDF) lost their lives in the Ukhrul district on Friday. The fatalities occurred during an exchange of gunfire between two rival groups in Thowai village, a tribal-dominated area. Local residents discovered the bodies of the deceased after the skirmish.
The victims were identified as Jamkhogin Haokip (26), Thangkhokai Haokip (35), and Hollenson Baite (24). While confirming the incident, Ukhrul DSP Ningsem Vashum stated that further details are awaited. Responding to the situation, a substantial deployment of combined security forces swiftly reached the location and initiated a combing operation to apprehend those responsible.
This incident follows the previous major episode on August 5, where three individuals, including a senior citizen and his son, lost their lives in Kwakta Lamkhai village in Bishnupur district.