Fresh tension broke out on Tuesday night in the Torbung area, which lies along the border of Bishnupur and Churachandpur districts in Manipur. Officials said the incident occurred at around 8.30 pm after an exchange of fire between security forces and unknown armed miscreants.

The firing marked a sudden escalation in an area already considered sensitive.

Civilian Injured, Identity Not Known

Officials confirmed that at least one civilian was injured during the incident. However, authorities said the identity of the injured person has not yet been established. No further details about the condition of the injured were immediately available.

Recently Resettled Families in the Area

Local residents from Phougakchao Ikhai and Torbung said the incident happened shortly after displaced families were resettled in the area. As per government instructions, around 389 internally displaced persons from 67 families had recently been relocated to Torbung.

The resettlement was part of a broader government effort to restore normalcy in violence-hit regions.

Attack Allegedly Launched From Churachandpur Side

According to officials, unknown armed miscreants allegedly launched an attack on Torbung village from the Churachandpur side at around 8.30 pm. Security forces deployed in the area responded immediately.

Officials said the attackers also allegedly used bombs during the assault. The exchange of fire and explosions reportedly continued for nearly 20 minutes before easing.

Villagers Gripped by Fear

The sudden gunfight created panic among residents of Torbung and nearby villages. Many villagers remained indoors as tension spread across the area following the incident.

Authorities described the situation as volatile even after the firing stopped.

Reinforcements Rushed, Situation Remains Tense

Officials said additional teams from the state police and central security forces were rushed to the area to prevent further escalation. Despite the deployment of reinforcements, the situation in Torbung continued to remain tense late into the night.

Security personnel were placed on high alert to avoid any further violence.

Manipur Crisis Continues to Cast a Shadow

Manipur has been facing a prolonged crisis since May 3, 2023. The violence has claimed more than 260 lives and forced over 60,000 people to flee their homes.

To bring the situation under control, the state has been under President’s Rule since February 13. In recent weeks, the government has begun resettling displaced people, starting with areas in Bishnupur district.

Political Efforts Toward Peace

On December 14, several BJP MLAs, including four from the Kuki-Zo community, held a high-level closed-door meeting in the national capital.

Leaders who attended the meeting later said it was intended to pave the way for the restoration of peace in the state.

DGP Reviews Security in Churachandpur

According to a police statement, Manipur’s Director General of Police visited Churachandpur district on Tuesday. During the visit, he inaugurated the conference room at the office of the Superintendent of Police in Churachandpur.

He then chaired a detailed security review meeting with officers from the Manipur Police and other security forces deployed in the district. The meeting focused on assessing the current security situation and reviewing preparedness.

The DGP also interacted with representatives of various civil society organisations from the district.