Manipur deploys 500 security personnel in Noney after gunfight kills three
A joint operation involving police and central forces is underway in the Noney district following a clash between rival militant groups.
More than 500 personnel from the district police, CRPF, CoBRA, and Assam Rifles launched a cordon and search operation in Manipur's Noney district on Thursday, according to Telegraph India.
The deployment follows a gunfight on Wednesday at Taodaijang village in the Khoupum area that left three militants dead and two others injured. The clash involved cadres suspected to belong to different Naga militant outfits, including the Zeliangrong United Front (Jenchui).
The ZUF (Jenchui) claimed that two of the deceased, identified as M Thaimei and G Kamson, belonged to their outfit. The group alleged the confrontation involved the NSCN (IM), the ZUF (Kamson faction), and the NSCN-K (Niki Sumi).
A third person, identified as Aihung Khumba from Pungmon Chingchen village, was also killed, though his affiliation was not immediately known. Locals recovered the bodies of the deceased.
Following the exchange of fire, local residents led by women went to the site to try and stop further violence. They reportedly used a public address system to request that the cadres cease firing.
On Thursday, a joint team of Manipur police and central forces began combing the Nungba and Kekru Naga areas to verify the identities of local residents.