Nine killed, 13 injured in gunfight at Aigejang
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, June 14 2023: At least nine people were killed and 13 injured in a gunfight between suspected Kuki militants and Meetei village guard volunteers at Aigejang village near Khamenlok on Tuesday night.

The deceased people have been identified as Haobijam Somenkumar (33) s/o Chaoba of Pangei Waiton Lamkhai, Moirangthem Hemant (34) s/o Nila of Oksu Mamang Leikai, Konjengbam Shyamkumar (25) s/o Samungou of Itham Nungoi Awang Leikai, RK Pras-anta (28) s/o Shantamani and Laish-ram Naothoibibi (32) s/o Ningthou of Kongpal Ningthoubung Leikai, Telem Thoithoi (28) s/o Surjit of Leimak hong Mapal, Yumnam Surjitkumar (43) s/o Kula of Ningthemkhun, Laishram Suresh (33) s/o Samungou of Ningth-emchakhul and Laishram Abung alias Mathai s / o Megha of Kangla Sangom sang Awang Leikai.

According to reports, the volunteers were at Aigejang village when Kuki militants armed with sophisticated weapons started attacking them.

The attack left nine of the Meetei volunteers dead and 13 injured.

All 13 were rushed to Raj Medicity for treatment of which one has been discharged.

Confirming about the gunfight and subsequent casualties and injuries, Imphal East district SP Shivkanta Singh said: "Nine people have been killed and 10 others injured in fresh violence this morning in Khamenlok area of Imphal East" .

He added: "Postmortem procedure underway" .

According to sources, miscreants opened fire on people in the village killing nine and injuring 10 others and also torched several houses in the village.

With the demise of the nine people, the death toll in the Manipur violence has crossed the 100 mark.

Manipur has been on the boil since May 3 after clashes broke out between two communities in state and subse quent large-scale violence.

Meanwhile, the lifeless bodies of the deceased were brought to JNIMS morgue where families of the eight victims claimed their bodies on Wednesday after post mortem examination.

However, Laishram Abung's body is yet to be claimed.

People paid their respects to the deceased volunteers along the roads they were being taken for their final journey.

Locals in various areas of Khurai and Khabeisoi also stood on sides of the road and paid their respects to the departed souls.

Comment