Four killed in gunfight between Kuki armed groups
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, August 10 2024: An intense gunfight between armed Kuki groups in an area near Pallel in Tengnoupal district yesterday morning killed one cadre of the United Kuki Liberation Front (UKLF) and three alleged village volunteers.

Even as the gunfight resulted in casualties on both sides, the alleged village volunteers burnt the house of self-styled chairman of UKLF, Lhonkhoson Haokip alias Soson alias SS Haokip located at Molnom village.Sources said the gunfight took place yesterday morning a little after 9 after members of Kuki village volunteers armed with sophisticated weapons attack- ed a UKLF camp at Molnom village.

Four killed in gunfight between Kuki armed groups

The intense gunbattle that ensued killed one cadre of the UKLF and injured two of its members.

The Kuki village volunteers lost three members, and one sustained bullet injuries.

The deceased UKLF cadre has been identified as Kakai of Moreh.

The deceased Kuki village volunteers have been identified as Jangkholen (18) of M Chahnou village, Moreh, Sasat (30) of Mol-nom village, Pallel and Lunkhokai (25) of Cinai-veng, Moreh.

The bodies were taken to the Hill Tribal Council, Moreh yesterday and later handed over to their respective families for last rites.

Meanwhile, sources claimed one UKLF cadre, Sokhulun and two sympathisers of the group have been held captive by the Kuki village volunteers at TS Laijang village of Chandel district.

Several sources claimed the gunfight between the two armed groups may be related to the abduction of Kuki village volunteers' home secretary, Heigin Baite on July 10.Heigin Baite is yet to be released.

The Kuki village volunteers have alleged that the UKLF was an accomplice in the abduction of Heigin Baite.

Some other sources claimed that the gunfight is suspected to be a turf war to dominate and control Pallel area.

A source in the police said a combined team of Tengnoupal district police, 169 Battalion BSF and 21 Assam Rifles rushed to the incident site and carried out cordon and search operations yesterday afternoon.

During the search operation, the house of Molnom village chief M Boboi Haokip was found burnt down.

Further, suspected armed Kuki village volunteers fired some rounds of bullets on the combined team and in retaliation, the security forces fired several rounds of bullets.

When retaliated, the suspected armed Kuki village volunteers fled away taking advantage of thick jungle.

There were no injuries on the side of the security forces.

During the cordon and search operation, the combined team of the security forces recovered two double barrel guns, one binocular, one hand-held set and three Aadhaar cards.