Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, January 28:
Conveying deep concern over the loss of human lives because of landmines in Khengjoi and New Samtal areas of Chandel district, the Kuki Inpi Manipur (KIM) and Kuki Students' Organisation (KSO) have urged the Government to take up prompt initiatives to clear the landmines planted in hill areas of Chandel district.
A statement issued by KSO GhQs asserted that such drastic step of planting landmines by UGs is an abominable act which negates all facets of human value.
So far land mine explosions have claimed more than 30 innocent lives and an equal number of people suffered injuries.
Even then, those victims who escaped death from such method of warfare are incapacitated for life, noted the statement.
About 70 villages of Khengjoi and New Samtal areas are under the spell of landmine horror, it said.
Observing that concerned international bodies have resolved against use of landmines in war and conflict zones, it said that this despicable method of warfare resorted to UGs ought to be condemned at the strongest term by all people.
It further decried the failure of the authority concerned to take up any concrete measure to sanitize the areas of the landmines.
Meanwhile, the KSO Khengjoi Block has strongly condemned the IED blast near Tolbung village under Molcham police station, Chakpikarong sub-division on January 26 in which one Jamkhomang Haokip (20) of Khongnangpheisabi village was severely injured, conveyed a press release.
It also thanked 16 AR posted at Zoupi for providing first aid treatment to Jamkhomang while urging the authority concern to speed up operation Khengjoi.