Imphal, An Indian army man and his driver were shot dead in disturbed Manipur state in India.

According to Kashmir Media Service, the Manipur guerrillas killed the India Reserve Battalion (IRB), and his driver in Kangpokpi district of the Imphal valley of the state.

They were travelling in a vehicle when the guerrillas belonging to the state’s majority community carried out an ambush between Haraothel and Kobsha villages, the Indian police officials said.

The majority of the population in the state demands independence from Indian yoke.

Additional Indian forces have been deployed in the area and a search was launched to arrest those involved in the incident, a police official said.

More than 180 people have been killed since the violence erupted on May 3 after a ‘Tribal Solidarity March’ was organised in the districts to protest against the Meitei community’s demand for Scheduled Tribe (ST) status.

The Meiteis account for about 50 per cent of Manipur’s population and live mostly in the Imphal Valley, while tribals, which include Nagas and Kukis, constitute 50 per cent and reside mainly in the hill districts.KMS—16R