One more injured person dies, forces fire tear gas during protests in Manipur's Imphal

CM holds Unified Command meeting, curfew, restriction on mobile internet in force in parts of the Valley.

Guwahati: Death toll in fresh violence in Manipur reached five after one person, who was injured in firing by the security forces on Tuesday, succumbed to his injuries.

Security forces on Wednesday fired tear gas shells to disperse protesters in the state capital Imphal, who tried to storm into the residence of Chief Minister Y Khemchand Singh in protest against the killing of two children on Tuesday in Bishnupur.

Manipur police on Wednesday evening in a statement said that three suspected cadres of UKNA were arrested with weapons during a combing operation launched in search of those involved in the killing. Police recovered a AK-47 rifle, one pistol and ammunition from the three identified as Jampao Kuki, Sasang and Paulallem Vaiphai. The UKNA, however, denied their involvement.

The situation across the valley remained tense and normal life disrupted as the curfew was still in force in parts of the Meitei-dominated Valley districts while the curb on internet too remained in force in view of the simmering tension.

Defying the curfew, members of the Coordination Committee on Manipur Unity (COCOMI) staged a protest in Imphal but the security forces stopped them while they tried to storm into the CM's residence. They demanded resignation of the CM and Home Minister Konthoujam Govindas Singh for their alleged failure to protect the civilians in Bishnupur and arrest those involved in the killing. The organisation decided to continue their protest.

Many in Bishnupur also staged protests and blocked the road near Moirang demanding immediate arrest of those involved in the killing. Two children of a BSF jawan, one aged just five-month, died after a suspected projectile hit them in their sleep at Tronglaobi village. His wife was seriously injured.

This triggered a protest by locals and two persons died and five others were injured after they allegedly tried to attack a CRPF camp near Moirang. They alleged involvement of the Kukis in the attack. Kuki organisations including United Kuki National Army, an armed group, denied the allegation about their involvement.

Unified Command meet

Manipur Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh chairs a Combined Headquarters Security (Unified Command) meeting to review the prevailing security situation and coordination among agencies, at the Secretariat, in Imphal.

Chief Minister Y Khemchand Singh on Wednesday held a meeting of the Unified Command comprising police and central security forces in which he took stock of the overall land and order situation and the ongoing operations for nabbing those involved in Tuesday's attack. Singh on Tuesday ordered for an all out operation.