A gun-fight broke between armed Kuki and Meitei groups in Koutruk and Kadanband areas of West Imphal. A 31- year old woman died in a bomb explosion amidst gunfire yesterday. In a press meet yesterday, home department termed the incident as an attack against “unarmed Koutruk villagers using drone, bombs and many sophisticated weapons by Kuki militants.” The department also stated “…such an act of creating havoc among the unarmed villagers reportedly by Kuki militants is seen as an attempt to derail the efforts taken by State Government to establish peace in the State.”

Two others including the deceased’s 12-year old daughter were injured in the attack. The women who lost life was identified as Ngangbam Surbhala. According to sources, she was taken to Imphal’s Regional Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS) where she was declared dead.