The Wire Staff 
New Delhi: The bodies of two Meitei men were found a day after 10 people belonging to the Kuki-Zo community in Manipur, whom police identified as “armed militants” were killed by security forces while allegedly leading an attack on a police and CRPF station on November 11. The incidents took place in the Jiribam district.
On the morning of November 12, the bodies of two men, identified as Laishram Barel Singh (63) and Maibam Keshwo Singh (71), were recovered by police from houses in the Jakuradhor area, according to a report by Indian Express.
The two had reportedly been staying at a relief camp at Borobekra police station. Ten people from the camp have reportedly gone missing since the shooting on November 11.
Manipur Police noted that police and the CRPF “retaliated strongly” against the November 11 attack on the Borobekra police station and Jakuradhor CRPF post.
“After about 40-45 minutes of heavy exchange of fire, the situation was brought under control,” the statement said.
The bodies were discovered after firing ended, police said. Police have claimed that three AK-47 rifles, four self-loading rifles, two INSAS rifles, an RPG, one pump-action gun, bullet-proof helmets and magazines were also discovered.
A criminal case has been registered and is being investigated, police further said.
Police said that operations in and around Jakuradhor, under the Borobekra police station’s jurisdiction, have continued “to flush out armed militants.”
Reinforcement teams of personnel from the Assam Rifles, CRPF and civil police have been rushed there.
A CRPF constable, Sanjeev Kumar, suffered a bullet injury and has been taken to Silchar Medical College and Hospital in Assam, the police added.
Fighting has continued in the ethnically divided state since May last year.
At Jiribam, on the same day, at least 10 shops belonging to the Meitei community were reportedly set on fire by suspected militants, according to a report.
The World Kuki-Zo Intellectual Council has said in a statement that 11 volunteers were “mercilessly shot dead” by CRPF and has demanded action against the paramilitary forces.
Indian Express has reported that the 10 killed belonged to the Hmar community.
Note: This report has been updated since publication with news on the two deaths.