Two civilians, including an eight-year-old girl, were injured after armed groups opened fire in Thingkhongjang village in Manipur's Kangpokpi district on Sunday evening, police said.
The injured have been identified as Nengneichong Kipgen (56) and Lamneingah Kipgen (8). Both were initially administered first aid at an Assam Rifles camp before being shifted late Sunday night to the Regional Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS) in Imphal for advanced treatment.
Authorities have tightened security around the RIMS campus in view of the incident and concerns over possible unrest.
Heightened Security at RIMS
The latest attack comes against the backdrop of tensions at the hospital. In June, protests broke out after three Kuki youths, who had sustained injuries in an exchange of fire in Kangpokpi, were admitted to RIMS. Protesters, alleging that the injured were armed militants, attempted to storm the hospital premises.
Security personnel have since remained on alert around the medical institute.
Kuki Body Condemns Attack
Following Sunday's firing, the Kuki Inpi Manipur (KIM), the apex body representing the Kuki community in the state, strongly condemned the incident and alleged that the NSCN (IM) and ZUF (Kamson) were responsible for the attack.
In a statement, KIM described the incident as a deliberate assault on civilians.
"The deliberate targeting of an unarmed civilian settlement is nothing less than an act of terror against innocent people and represents a grave assault on human dignity and the rule of law," the organisation said.
The body also urged both the Central Government and the Manipur Government to ensure the safety of civilians.
"The Central and Manipur governments must understand that the continued failure to protect innocent civilians gravely undermines public confidence in the institutions of the state," KIM said.
Police have not yet officially identified the perpetrators, and an investigation into the firing is underway. Security forces remain deployed in the area as authorities monitor the situation.
