1 hurt in gun fight, villagers ask for State forces
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, May 21 2023:
One villager sustained injuries in a gun fight between Kuki and Meitei villagers at Singda Kadangband on the border of Imphal West and Kangpokpi districts today.
The gun fight which started at around 5.30 pm today lasted for about half an hour.
One NB Singh (49) of Kadangband Part I sustained injuries as he was hit by a bullet on the buttock.
The bullet was removed at a nearby health centre.
Kadangband Part I is one the remotest Meitei villages which is located at a hill-valley junction.
Kadangband Part-I can be reached from Imphal via Kadangband Lamkhai.
But Meitei and Kuki villages are separated by just around 20/30 feet at Kadangband Lamkhai.
In the wake of the current ethnic conflict, armed Kukis have occupied Kadangband Lamkhai and they have even constructed bunkers.
Although Kadangband Meitei villagers have appealed repeatedly to the 22nd Assam Rifles which are stationed nearby to remove the Kuki bunkers built at Kadangband Lamkhai, the Central paramilitary force is paying no heed, sources informed.
Since armed Kukis intruded into Meitei settlements and built bunkers, Meiteis of Singda Kadangband Part-I have been guarding their houses with licensed guns.
As four villagers of Singda Kadangband Part-I came back from Imphal on two scooters (Honda Activa) at around 5.30 pm today, Kukis who are manning bunkers at Kadangband Lamkhai approached them with an intention to capture the four.
While two of the Meitei villagers managed to escape on the scooter, the other two fell, shouted for help and ran toward their village.
Later, when Meiteis rushed to Kadangband Lamkhai, they were fired at by Kukis using sophisticated weapons.
The Meiteis retaliated using licensed guns and the gun fight lasted for around half an hour.
Meanwhile, Singda Kadangband villagers have questioned whether Central paramilitary forces, particularly Assam Rifles, are there in Manipur to suppress Meiteis settled at foothills in collaboration with Kukis.
They also expressed strong desire for deployment of IRB or police commandos at Singda Kadangband area in place of Assam Rifles.