Manipur unrest: 8-year-old girl among 2 injured in firing by armed groups in Kangpokpi

IMPHAL: Two people, including an eight-year-old girl, were injured after armed groups opened fire in Manipur's Kangpokpi district, police said on Monday.The firing took place in Thingkhongjang village on Sunday evening. The injured, identified as Nengneichong Kipgen (56) and Lamneingah Kipgen (8), were brought to Imphal late Sunday night for treatment, police said.The injured were initially administered first aid at an Assam Rifles camp before being shifted to the Regional Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS) in Imphal for further treatment. Security has been heightened around the RIMS campus following the incident.The incident comes weeks after protests erupted in June when three Kuki youths injured in an exchange of fire in Kangpokpi district were admitted to RIMS for treatment. Protesters, alleging that the injured were armed militants, attempted to storm the hospital premises.Following Sunday's firing, the Kuki Inpi Manipur (KIM), the apex body representing the Kuki community in the state, condemned the attack and alleged that the NSCN (IM) and ZUF (Kamson) were responsible for the firing.(With agency inputs)