Imphal:
A gunfight broke out between village volunteers of the two warring communities in Manipur's ethnic conflict-torn Imphal West district on Sunday morning, police said.
The incident took place when several dozen armed men opened indiscriminate fire at Koutruk village on the periphery of Imphal Valley from the adjoining hills in Kangpokpi district, a police officer said.
Some bullets reportedly shattered the walls of villagers' homes, he said, adding that women, children and the elderly are being evacuated to safe areas nearby.
Locally made mortar shells known as 'Pumpi' are also fired at the village, causing panic among residents, he said.
The village volunteers in Koutruk also retaliated, leading to a gun battle, he said. Security personnel are being rushed to the area to bring the situation under control.
The gunfight was ongoing until the report was filed.
Koutruk village has witnessed intense gun battles between village volunteers from the two warring communities since ethnic violence broke out on May 3 last year. It has been identified as one of the most vulnerable areas to gun attacks.
Since May 3 last year, more than 200 people have been killed and thousands left homeless in the ethnic conflict between Meiteis in the Imphal Valley and the neighboring hill Kukis.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)