28.5c India
In a terrible occurrence, a former Indian Army man was slain after mistakenly breaching the "buffer zone" separating the Meitei and Kuki districts of the conflict-torn state of Manipur. Limkholal Mate, a former Havaldar in the Assam Regiment, was found dead in Sekmai, Imphal West district, on Monday morning.
According to officials, Mate, a resident of Motbung in Kangpokpi, was driving through the area on Sunday night when he mistakenly entered the buffer zone. "Mate entered the Sekmai area and was discovered dead early this morning. Initial indications imply he was beaten to death, but police have yet to provide an official statement," stated a local officer.
The buffer zones, patrolled by government paramilitary forces, were created to prevent further confrontations between the Meitei and Kuki populations. Since ethnic violence broke out in the state last year, the two groups have mainly avoided visiting each other's territory. While the Meiteis are primarily found in the Valley, the Kukis live in Manipur's hill areas.
The escalation of violence in Manipur has taken a severe turn in recent weeks, with claims of drone and rocket use adding to the strife. Amidst the disturbance, the Committee for Tribal Unity, a local civil society organization, claims a woman was murdered in a bomb blast on Sunday. However, police have yet to confirm the occurrence.
Despite the government's efforts to restore peace, tensions between the two ethnic populations remain high.