3 of 4 missing woodcutters found brutally murdered
Source: The Sangai Express

Moirang, January 11 2024: Of the four individuals who went to Haotak Mapallok Chakpi Ching yesterday to cut and collect firewood, three have been found shot dead.

Notably Haotak Mapallok Chakpi Hill is located to the western side of Wangoo Sabal under Kumbi police station in Bishnupur district.

After they left for Haotak Mapallok Chakpi Ching yesterday to collect firewood, the four did not return home and their whereabouts could not be traced.

While bullet-ridden bodies of three of them were discovered this morning, the other is still missing.

The three woodcutters who have been found murdered are Thoudam Ibomcha (51) s/o Pangoi of Wangoo Sabal Akasoi, his son Thoudam Anand (20) and Oinam Romen (38) s/o Oinam Pishak of Wangoo Sabal Akasoi.

3 of 4 missing woodcutters found brutally murdered

A search party found the three bullet-ridden bodies separately on a path of Haotak Mapallok Chakpi Ching.

The other villager whose fate is still unknown is Ahanthem Dara (55) s/o Apikchao of Wangoo Sabal Akasoi.

It is suspected that Ibomcha, Anand and Romen were shot from point blank range which implies that they were held captive before they were murdered in cold blood.

Spent bullets were also found near the bodies.

Meanwhile, a combined team of State forces and village volunteers have been searching for the missing man.

Ahanthem Dara's son Ahanthem Shantakumar said that his father went to collect firewood everyday and he left home for the same work after having lunch yesterday.

Dara went together with Ibomcha, Anand and Romen.

"All my father's companions have been found murdered in the most brutal manner but my father's fate is still unknown", said the visibly worried son.

He then made a fervent appeal to the Government and authorities concerned to find his father.

Kumbi Kendra Command and Control Committee women's wing president Y Joykumari said they were shocked and deeply hurt by the cold blooded murder of the three innocent villagers including a father-son duo who went to collect firewood as they were compelled by sheer poverty and inability to afford cooking gas.

Troops of Mahar Regiment are stationed not far away from the place where the villagers went to collect firewood.

As innocent people are being murdered in their presence, there is no need for stationing troops of Mahar Regiment in the area, she said.

Kumbi police have deposited the three dead bodies at RIMS mortuary.

Meanwhile, CPI Manipur State Council has strongly condemned the killing of three innocent Meiteis by suspected Kuki militants in Haotak area.

In a statement, the CPI asked why the three innocent woodcutters were allowed to be murdered in cold blood at a time when the Chief Minister has been repeatedly claiming that peace has returned in Manipur.

It went on to ask if any semblance of governance is there in Manipur.

It is the failure of the Government to discharge its duties and responsibilities which has been infuriating the valley people more and more, it said.

CPI also questioned the silence of the Security Advisor when Chin-Kuki narco-terrorists have been indulging in rampant killings and widespread violence.

On the other hand, Union Home Minister Amit Shah has totally forgotten Manipur as he is dedicating all his time to Parliament election, it said.

Although it is said that the Indian military is one of the strongest armies in the world, Manipur Police personnel are left alone to defend themselves in the face of relentless attacks from Chin-Kuki narco-terrorists at Moreh, it continued.

Questioning the Government of India's perception of Manipur, the CPI asked if New Delhi has any hidden agenda.

All the people are now asking why the Government of India is unable to contain the handful of Chin-Kuki narco-terrorists who have been running riot, it added.