Meetei villages attacked, locals censure CFs
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, December 27 2024: At least one policeman of special commando unit of Manipur police suffered bullet injury as suspected Kuki militants rained bullets and bombs at Thamnapokpi, Sanasabi, Sabungkhok Khunou and Yaingangpokpi Santikhongbal villages in Imphal East district since December 24 .

As the firing continued sporadically, one N Thembi of Sekta Mayai Leikai was also hit in the leg in firing by suspected Kuki militants at Yaingangpokpi bridge.

For the fourth day in succession, suspected Kuki militants attacked fringe villages in Imphal East district with the latest offensive on Friday leaving a member of special police commando injured.

Meetei villages attacked, locals censure CFs

The injured identified as A Haridas (37), son of Rajen of Lamdeng Khunou, suffered bullet wound on his left shoulder and was rushed to Jawaharlal Nehru Institute of Medical Sciences, Porompat at about 3.30 pm.

He is said to be out of danger.

A civilian, too, suffered minor injury in the attack.

As per sources, Kuki militants resumed attack on Sanasabi from early Friday morning but special commando personnel deployed in the village retaliated thereby leading to a fierce encounter between the two sides.

Locals ran helter-skelter as the gunfight broke out with many villagers caught in the crossfire.

However, state force and CRPF personnel rescued the villagers particularly women and children and took them to safer locations.

Villagers alleged that personnel of central forces deployed in the area did nothing when Kuki militants attacked the village with sophisticated weapons and unleashed bombs.

Angered by inaction of the central forces despite fierce attack by the Kuki militants, locals staged impromptu protest and told the central forces to leave the area.

By 10.30 am Friday, Kuki militants intensified the attack using bombs at nearby fringe villages like Thamnapokpi, Yaingangpokpi Santikhongbal, Sabungkhok Khunou and Sabungkhok Maning Leikai.

As a team of state forces moved towards the villages under attack they were blocked by personnel of the central forces on the way.

However, state forces managed to force their way and joined the village volunteers in repulsing the attack.

As the encounter continued, special CDO A Haridas got hit at Sanasabi at about 3.30 pm Friday and was rushed to JNIMS hospital for treatment.

Though the encounter at the village was intermittent till 5 pm, intense encounter ensued from 6.30 pm with Kuki militants using bombs, prompting the state forces to use bombs leading to the encounter lasting till late evening.

Meanwhile, villagers informed media persons that personnel of central forces deployed in areas that came under attack fired not a single bullet as Kuki militants attacked the villages from early morning till 5pm.The villagers also accused the central force personnel deployed in the areas of barricading the road with the intention of preventing movement of locals and state forces.

Angered by such dubious acts of the central forces, local Meira Paibis resorted to chanting slogans and told them that they are of no use but to create disturbance in the area.