Kwakta tense after UGs-villagers clash
Source: The Sangai Express / NNN

Imphal, December 17 2008: Tension reigned at Kwakta Ukha Tampak in Bishnupur district following the killing of at least two persons and injuries inflicted on four others besides five houses being razed to the ground as violence erupted between two groups of people (belonging to different communities) late last evening.

The violence between the two groups erupted at around 8.30 pm yesterday at Kwakta Ukha Tampak after two persons were shot and injured by armed persons suspected to be from a militant group of a particular community.

Two young girls bare their souls through tears and the remains of a house burnt by a mob at Kwakta

Following this, an irate mob formed by the community the victims belong to burnt down five houses belonging to the community to which the armed cadres hail from.

According to one Pc Boisi, a resident of Ukha Tampak, though she heard some noises that evening, she could not figure out what was going on.

Later, she rushed out of her house after realizing that some nearby houses were in flames and it was then that she came across a huge number of people, most of them from another community, said Boisi.

The mob however left the place after setting ablaze the houses, she added.

She revealed that out of the five houses, one of the owners of the house identified as one Manglam Haokip, 45, was charred to death and added that soon after that the community living in the area fled from there homesteads.

On the other hand, according to one Ibetombi, 20, who claimed to be the first victim to encounter the armed persons revealed that on sighting some persons beating up some kids she approached the armed persons to enquire what was happening.

However, she was taken away by one of the persons on gun point, Ibetombi informed and added that she screamed for help following which her uncle Itao who came to her rescue was shot by the gunmen.

Ibetombi also informed that the gunmen also shot another person who tried to stop them while one of the gunmen was apprehended by the mob and later succumbed to his injuries after he was beaten up by the mob.

A small arm was also recovered from his possession, Ibetombi added.

The injured victims have been identified as one Abdul Samat alias Itao, 55, s/o (L) Karim of Kakwa Bazaar Maning who was hit with a bullet on his left calf and Basir Ahmad, 43, s/o (L) Nazir Ali of Kakwa Ukha Tampak who sustained bullet injury at his right arm.

Further, reports collected from the incident spot stated that on finding that one Haokam was involved in the incident, the mob burnt down the five houses as they suspected that Haokam was taking shelter.

One villager was also reportedly beaten up by the mob, identified to be one Kaikhulun 44 s/o Holkhosei who is undergoing treatment at Churachandpur district hospital.

Tension runs high on Kakwa area between two communities and stringent security measures have been taken up at the area to prevent any misunderstanding that could spark communal violence between the two communities living in the area.

Earlier during the day, DGP Y.Joykumar and an Inspector General reportedly visited the site.