Unidentified 'rioters' fire in Manipur’s Kangpokpi

One person was killed and two others injured in fresh firing by armed miscreants in a village in Kangpokpi district of violence-hit Manipur on Thursday morning.

The firing took place hours before Congress leader Rahul Gandhi landed in Imphal for a two-day visit to the violence-hit state.

The Spear Corps of the army said troops were moved to Haraothel village after unprovoked firing was reported at around 5.30 am. "While enroute to the site, our columns drew effective fire from the armed rioters. The troops responded in a calibrated manner to prevent any collateral damage. Swift action by the troops resulted in cessation of firing," the Spear Corps tweeted.

Although the army did not reveal the number of casualties, police officials in Imphal said one person died while two others were injured in the firing.

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The fresh firing came as a blow to the constant efforts by both the Centre as well as the BJP government in the state to stop violence and restore peace.

Home Minister Amit Shah, during his meeting with Manipur CM N Biren Singh in New Delhi on June 25, expressed concern over the situation and asked the CM to reach out to the civil society organisations to find methods to stop the violence. Sporadic incidents of firing and arson have kept both the security forces and the government worried.

More than 100 people have died and over 60,000 others have been displaced due to the violence between the majority Meitei and the Kuki tribes since May 3. The violence started after a "solidarity march" was organised by tribal groups to oppose a move to accord ST status to the Meitei community.

Rahul Gandhi took a chopper on Thursday morning to visit Kuki-dominated Churachandpur after Manipur police stopped him from visiting the violence-hit district by road, citing security concerns. Gandhi visited two relief camps and met civil society organisations before returning to Imphal. The former Congress president is scheduled to visit another relief camp at Moirang in Meitei-dominated Bishnupur district on Friday.