A member of the Naga Village Guard (NVG) was killed and five others, including two security personnel, were injured in an exchange of fire in Manipur’s Noney district on Wednesday, according to police. The deceased has been identified as Lanbilung Riamei, 22, son of Kadirang Riamei of Longmai Noney Bazaar, who later succumbed to his injuries.
Two CoBRA commandos of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), Head Constable Radheshyam and Constable (General Duty) Jitendra Kumar, sustained minor injuries. Three NVG members also suffered serious bullet injuries, although their identities were yet to be ascertained. The injured are likely to be evacuated to Imphal for further medical treatment.
According to local sources, the CRPF’s CoBRA unit launched an operation early on Wednesday at Bitiang village under the Tupul subdivision, where an NVG training camp is reportedly located. An exchange of fire broke out during the operation, resulting in the death of one NVG member and injuries to five others. Communication networks in the Bitiang-Tupul area were severely disrupted, causing inconvenience to residents.
Heavy security deployment, including CoBRA personnel, continues in the Bitiang area following the incident. The Working Committee of the Joint Tribe Council (JTC), Manipur, announced an immediate and indefinite shutdown across areas inhabited by the Inpui, Liangmai, Rongmei and Zeme communities, exempting essential services such as healthcare, educational institutions, electricity, water supply, and telecommunications.
The council had earlier alleged that the operation targeted members of the Naga Village Guard and demanded action from the Government of India. The shutdown will remain in force until the Government of India takes what the council described as ‘decisive and meaningful action’ to arrest those responsible for the killings, halt security operations against Naga villages, and restore justice.
