Kom villagers forced to leave
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, May 24 2023:
Kuki militants have forcibly driven out villagers of Kangathei Kom village and occupied their village, said Kom Union, Manipur today.
Yesterday night, armed Kuki militants came to the village and threatened the people to leave the village.
Afraid, the villagers left Kangathei village and sought shelter at a nearby Kom village of Khoirentak.
Now, Kangathei village is being occupied by the armed Kuki militants.
Sounds of gunfire are heard constantly coming from the village, said Kom Union, Manipur in a statement it released to the press.
The people of the village who were living peacefully have been driven out of their homes.
This act of the Kuki militants is seen as an attempt to drag the Kom community into the conflict, said Kom Union, Manipur.
While strongly condemning the incident and appealing to the concerned not to repeat such actions, the Kom Union, Manipur said the Kom community wants to remain Kom and peaceful coexistence of all indigenous communities.
The Kom community firmly stands for Manipur's integrity,
it added.