13 People Killed in Gunfight in Manipur: Victims Identified as Maisnam Sanajaob, Konjengbam Medhabanta, Oinam Loken, Ningthoujam Tomba, Mayengbam Rosan Meitei, Moirangthem Kingson Meitei, Chongtham Lamdeinganba, Puthem Ajay Meitei, Shougaijam Krishnakanta Meitei, Thingom Rocky, Chingakham Nethei, Phanjoubam Noren and Yendrembam Athouba

Tension is rising in Manipur following the discovery of the bodies of 13 individuals who were killed in a gunfight between unidentified armed miscreants at Leithao village near Saibol. The incident took place in the Tengnoupal district under the Machi police station on Monday. As a sign of mourning, all shops and business establishments in Imphal were closed. The opposition Congress party has criticized Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his silence on the situation in Manipur, questioning his refusal to meet with Manipuri leaders or visit the state.

The Manipur police released a statement stating that 13 individuals were killed in the gunfight and that the district police and security forces have initiated an investigation. The bodies of the victims were brought to Imphal and underwent postmortem at the Jawaharlal Nehru Institute of Medical Sciences. The families of the deceased have chosen to cremate their loved ones in Andro, located in the Imphal East district.

According to a police officer, the 13 deceased individuals are suspected to be new recruits of Manipur’s Valley-based militant outfit, Peoples’ Liberation Army (PLA), and its political wing, the Revolutionary Peoples’ Front (RPF). Meanwhile, the Congress party has criticized the Modi government for the violence in Manipur, stating that the situation in the state is far from normal. Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh highlighted the Prime Minister’s silence on Manipur, questioning why he has not met with Manipuri leaders or visited the state.

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge also raised concerns about the deteriorating law and order situation in Manipur, criticizing the chief minister for his stance and questioning the effectiveness of the Peace Committee constituted by the Union Government. The Congress party, along with other political parties in Manipur, has demanded a detailed discussion with the Prime Minister to find a solution that is acceptable to all stakeholders.

The situation in Manipur remains tense, and the demand for action and dialogue with the Prime Minister continues to grow.