Police commando killed in gunfight in Manipur's ethnic violence-hit Moreh

• Manipur Police commando killed in a gunfight following an RPG attack on a security forces camp in Moreh
• Tensions escalate in Moreh, which has been under high alert due to attacks on security forces
• Ethnic violence in Manipur, ongoing since May last year, has resulted in over 200 deaths and displacement of more than 50,000 people

In a tragic incident, a Manipur Police commando lost his life in a gunfight triggered by a rocket-propelled grenade (RPG) attack on a security forces camp in the ethnic violence-affected town of Moreh on the Manipur border. The assailants first launched an RPG at the Manipur Police commando camp, followed by intense gunfire, resulting in the death of one commando, identified as W Somorjit, and leaving another injured. The gunfight persisted for nearly an hour, heightening tensions in the already volatile region.

Moreh, situated in the Tengnoupal district, has been under high alert due to a series of attacks on security forces, particularly Manipur Police commandos. Recent tensions led to the arrest of two individuals, including a former territorial army soldier and head of Moreh's village defense force, for the murder of a Manipur Police officer on October 30.

The Kuki organizations have accused Manipur commandos of bias, demanding their immediate removal. The ethnic violence, escalating since May last year between Kuki and Meitei groups, has claimed over 200 lives and displaced more than 50,000 people. The unrest has given rise to armed militias guarding villages and establishing new boundaries within the state, with Kuki residing in hill districts and Meiteis in the Imphal valley.