India, Nov. 22 -- Imphal/Churachandpur Muolvaiphei, Valpakot, Ngurte, Thenmol and Khawpuibing are non -descript Hmar dominated tribal villages in Manipur's Churachandpur district, nearly 65 km away from the state capital, Imphal.

They are also the epicentre of an investigation into a heinous crime and the site of possibly a new fracture in a state which has been wracked by 18 months of ethnic conflict.

The state government and security forces are convinced the five villages are home to militants who travelled almost 250km to Jiribam, a town bordering Manipur-Assam, attacked security forces on November 11, and killed two Meitei elderly residents. It is believed there were 30-40 of them; 10 were killed in an ensuing shoot-out with securit...