Kuki militants attack Meetei village in Jiribam
Source: Chronicle News Service

Jiribam, September 11 2024: On Tuesday night, Kuki militants from Mongbung and Seijang Kuki villages launched fierce attacks with use of sophisticated weapons and explosives on Mongbung Meetei village.

Reports have been received that Mongbung Meetei villagers had been on alert after firing from direction of Kuki villages since around 3 pm.

However, at about 10:30 pm, a large group of Kuki militants intensified their attack on the Meetei village with guns and bombs.

The Meetei village volunteers, along with state police already stationed in the area swiftly responded, preventing the militants from entering the village but persisted with intermittent bring from a nearby location.

Though explosives were rained on the village most landed in safe distance from Meetei settlements while those that fell close to residences did not explode.

Despite the strong defence and counterattacks by village volunteers and state police commandos, which prevented the Kuki militants from entering Meetei village, the militants continued to fire at the village till around 3:30 am Wednesday.

Speaking to reporters about attack on Wednesday morning, an elderly woman recalled similar attacks by Kuki militants that forced Meetei villagers, especially women and children, to flee and seek refuge in safer areas.

She expressed frustration that despite repeated requests to strengthen the police, no action could be seen on the ground.

She also contended that CRPF personnel deployed in the area, did not respond to the militants' gunfire along with quoting a CRPF officer as saying that in case the perpetrators cause harm to any personnel, they would not spare anyone, be they Kukis or Meeteis.

Condemning such attitude of the central forces, she suggested that all central forces uphold their mandated task of protecting life and properties of the citizens.

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