Six killed, 2 injured as Kuki militants continue attack
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, September 07 2024: Six people, including two civilians, were killed in a violent clash in Jiribam district on Saturday morning after Kuki militants launched an early morning attack in Ningthem Khunnou village.

The incident, which has further escalated tensions in the district, resulted in the death of a Meetei civilian and four Kuki militants in a subsequent shootout.

The attack began at around 4:30 am when Kuki militants sneaked into the house of 63-year-old Meetei civilian Y Kulendra in Ningthem Khunnou village.

According to police sources, the militants entered Kulendra's house while he was asleep, fatally shooting him on the head.

Kulendra's wife, Bemcha, who was preparing flattened rice at the outer shed at the time, recounted the terrifying ordeal.

She explained that their daughter was sweeping the courtyard when the militants arrived.

The assailants signalled for the daughter to remain silent before entering the house.

Moments later, a gunshot was heard, and the militants fled the scene.

Local residents quickly gathered at the house, only to discover Kulendra's lifeless body with a gunshot wound on his head.

The militants also looted Rs 10 lakh in cash and gold ornaments, which the family had kept set aside for their daughter's job, before fleeing the scene, according to Bemcha.

As the militants attempted to retreat, they attacked a neighbouring village, prompting village volunteers stationed there to retaliate.

In the ensuing shootout, another Meetei civilian and village volunteer, Bachaspatimayum Lakhikanta (39) son of Samson of Dibong Khunnou, was killed after being hit by a bullet on his head.

His body, along with Kulendra's, was recovered by the police and taken to Jiribam District Hospital.

The confrontation quickly escalated, leading to a fierce gunfight between the militants and village volunteers.

Police sources confirmed that four Kuki militants were killed in the exchange, with several others reportedly injured.

The militants' bodies were also retrieved and brought to Jiribam District Hospital.

Following the clash, four automatic assault rifles, including AK rifles were recovered from the site of the shootout.

The rifles had red ribbons tied around their barrels, a distinctive mark of Kuki militants, referred to as "Tachapa" in the Kuki dialect.

Several magazines and ammunition were also recovered.

Two village volunteers were injured in an attack carried out by Kuki militants in Sugnu and Tangjeng areas on Saturday.

The militants, armed with long-range assault rifles and bombs, launched the attack at around 10 am, shelling powerful bombs from Leishang and Lalloiphai villages in Churachandpur district towards Napat and Tangjeng Ahallup Meetei villages under Kumbi assembly constituency, located on the western side of Manipur River.

The village volunteers in Sugnu and Tangjeng quickly returned fire, engaging the militants for about 3(5 minutes.

During the fire exchange, two volunteers suffered gunshot wounds and were rushed to Jivan Hospital in Kakching for treatment.

One of the injured, in critical condition, was later referred to Imphal for further medical care.

Senior police officers from Kakching district arrived at the scene and brought the situation under control.

In a separate incident, Kuki militants opened fire from Gwaltabi in Churachandpur district, towards Pombikhok and Chandonpokpi Meetei villages, located under Kumbi police station, at around 11:30 am.

No injuries were reported in this attack.

In response to the escalating violence, large numbers of Meira Paibi members from Thoubal and Kakching districts took to the streets to assist in managing traffic movement.

Tensions rose when Assam Rifles personnel blocked the road at Kakching Lamkhai with a Casspir vehicle.

Local women confronted the Assam Rifles, and the situation was diffused when the OC of Kakching PS arrived, reopening the road.

Meanwhile, in Watkhong, Meira Paibi members blocked the gate of the Assam Rifles post, to show their frustration over the growing security concerns.

In a related event, a large group of people from Khangabok area gathered outside the SP's office in Thoubal, demanding that the Casspir vehicle in the office be deployed to the incident site to counter the Kuki militants.

Central force columns traveling along the highway were forced to turn back by angry locals.

Kuki militants also launched coordinated attack towards Koutruk and Haraothel villages in Imphal West, and Khamenlok areas in Imphal East district late Saturday night.

The militants used long range automatic assault rifles and improvised mortar shells to attack the Meetei villages.

Village volunteers stationed there also retaliated and gunfight ensued at the time of filing this report.

There is no report of any injuries.

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