A suspected rocket propelled bomb attack in Manipur's Moirang town has claimed the life of an 80-year-old man and left five others injured. The attack occurred at the residence of the state's first Chief Minister and targeted a prominent figure in Manipur's history. This incident has further fueled the ethnic violence between the Meitei and Kuki-Zo communities in Manipur and has been condemned by the Chief Minister as a cowardly act. Northeast Now, a bilingual news portal, covers every inch of Northeast India and neighboring countries and is politically neutral.
Background
Moirang is a town in the Imphal East district of Manipur, a state in northeastern India. The region has a long history of ethnic tensions between the Meitei and Kuki-Zo communities.
In 1949, Manipur became a state of the Indian Union under the leadership of its first Chief Minister, Maharaja Bodhchandra Singh. Since then, there have been frequent clashes between the Meitei and Kuki-Zo communities over land disputes, economic disparities, and political power.
Recent Attack
On October 18, 2022, a suspected rocket-propelled bomb attack occurred in Moirang town. The attack targeted the residence of the late Maharaja Bodhchandra Singh, who is considered a prominent figure in Manipur's history.
The attack claimed the life of an 80-year-old man and injured five others, including a woman and two children. The injured were rushed to a nearby hospital for treatment.
Impact and Condemnation
The attack has further fueled the ethnic violence between the Meitei and Kuki-Zo communities. Chief Minister N. Biren Singh condemned the attack as a cowardly act and vowed to bring the perpetrators to justice.
The National Socialist Council of Nagaland (NSCN), a powerful Naga militant group with a presence in Manipur, denied involvement in the attack. However, the incident has raised concerns about the resurgence of militancy in the region.
Top 5 FAQs
1. Who is Maharaja Bodhchandra Singh? He was the first Chief Minister of Manipur, who played a key role in the state's accession to the Indian Union in 1949.
2. What is the cause of the ethnic violence in Manipur? Land disputes, economic disparities, and political power struggles between the Meitei and Kuki-Zo communities are the primary causes of the violence.
3. What was the motive behind the recent attack? The motive for the attack is still under investigation, but it is believed to be connected to the ongoing ethnic tensions in the region.
4. Who is suspected of carrying out the attack? No group has claimed responsibility for the attack, but the NSCN has denied involvement.
5. What is the government's response to the attack? The government has condemned the attack and vowed to bring the perpetrators to justice. It has also increased security measures in the region to prevent further violence.
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