One killed, two hurt in attacks by gunmen
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, May 24 2023: At least one civilian was killed and two others injured after suspected cadres of Kuki militant outfits under Suspen-sion of Operation (SoO) along with village defence forces of Kuki villages burned houses and attacked Meetei villages in Bishnupur and Imphal West districts in the past 24 hours.

The deceased civilian has been identified as Toijam Chandramani (40) of Then-ga Leirak, Churachandpur district.

He had been staying in the relief camp opened at Moirang College after his house was burned down by Kuki mobs on May 3.The two in-jured persons are Leichombam Manoj (27) son of late Gamba of Ngangkha Lawai, Bishnupur district and Aribam Rishikesh (33) son of late Bidhu of Singda Kadangband Part I.

One killed, two hurt in attacks by gunmen

Police source said that a large mob along with heavily armed persons suspected to be cadres of Kuki UG groups under So0 descended from Gelmon village on Wednesday around 1 am and started burning properties in Tronglaobi.

Upon receiving information, locals along with some displaced people putting up in relief camps proceeded towards the area to defend the remaining houses.

A few of the villagers were also armed with licensed double barrel firearms.

The armed militants opened fire on the villagers which the latter retaliated with their licensed guns leading to the attackers fleeing into the hills.

A chicken farm was, however, burned by the in-vaders.

Bishnupur district police and commandos also came and controlled the situation.

After a couple of hours, some heavily armed militants en-tered Thamnapokpi village and started burning some houses.

Local residents congregated to defend the remaining houses and on seeing the crowd, the armed militants fled into the hills.

The local residents chased after them that led to heavy firing from automatic weapons by the armed militants, who already took position there.

Chandramani was hit on his chest while Manoj was hit on his thigh in the firing.

Chandramani was rushed to Moirang PHC, where he was given first aid before being evacuated to Imphal.

As his condition was critical, he was rushed to Asian Hospital, Kwakeithel where he was declared brought dead by doctors.

Manoj was rushed to RIMS where he underwent surgery.

Meanwhile, upon receiv-ing information of the arson act and armed attack on vil-lagers, Bishnupur district police, commando and IRB personnel went to the spot where they exchanged fire for about one hour.

Irate locals, mainly women took to the street and blocked Tiddim Road.

They blocked movement of Indian Army accusing them of aiding Kuki UG groups and of do-ing nothing even when the Kuki militants abduct Meetei civilians and burn Meetei houses.

The protestors said that they no longer have trust in the central security forces while alleging them of taking sides with Kuki.

They would rather depend on the state forces for their safeguard, the protestors added.

On the other hand, a group of armed Kuki people at-tacked Singda Kadangband village in Imphal West dis-trict on Wednesday morn-ing leaving a civilian injured identified as Aribam Rishi-kesh (33) of Kadangband Part 1.He was rushed to RIMS hospital where he underwent surgery and is recovering.

Consequent to the firing incidents and street protests by the public, district ad-ministration Imphal West shortened the curfew re-laxation hour at 12 noon.

Officials of health, PHED, electricity, and court were exempted from the purview of the curfew.