The ambush on Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh's convoy in Kangpokpi district on Monday has heightened tensions in the region. The attack occurred as the convoy was traveling from Imphal to Jiribam, a district plagued by unrest following a recent killing.
The Chief Minister's intended visit to Jiribam, scheduled for Tuesday, aimed to address the escalating situation in the area. The unrest stemmed from the killing of a 59-year-old farmer, Soibam Saratkumar Singh, whose body showed signs of violence.
In response to the killing and the subsequent violence, authorities evacuated around 239 Meitei people, primarily women and children, to a relief camp in Jiribam. Prohibitory orders were also imposed in the area as tensions flared.
The incident adds to the ethnic tensions that have plagued Manipur, particularly between the Meitei and Kuki communities. The conflict has resulted in numerous deaths and displacement, exacerbating the already delicate social fabric of the region.
