Kuki militants attack farmers in Imphal East
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, November 10 2024: Imphal East witnessed second day of violence as Kuki militants launched coordinated gun and bomb attacks on the villages of Sanasabi, Sabungkhok Khunou, and Thamnapokpi under Lamlai assembly constituency on Sunday.

The attacks targeting farm workers began around 10 am, causing concern and unrest.

According to reports, the militants launched the attack from Thamnapokpi Uyokching as the local women were reaping paddy in the fields.

The aggression forced the women farmers to flee for safety.

In response, troopers of BSF, 4th Maha Regiment, and state forces deployed in the area engaged in a gunfight with the attackers.

The exchange of gunfire lasted for approximately an hour, with intermittent shots echoing across the area.

The situation further escalated in some areas as locals vented frustration and anger at the perceived inaction of some Central security forces during the attack.

They contended that, in some areas, these forces did not actively retaliate against the militants targeting the women in the paddy fields.

Such lack of response has heightened tension, with farmers unable to work in their fields due to the gunfire from hilltop positions, they said.

Meanwhile, to contain the situation and prevent any further incidents, additional security forces have been deployed in the area.

Senior officials, including DIG Zone-I N Herojit and other high-ranking police officers, rushed to the affected areas to assess the situation and coordinate efforts to restore calm.

This latest attack follows another incident on Saturday night when Kuki militants launched assaults from Sangran and Thamnapokpi Uy-okching toward the adjoining Meetei villages.

A woman farm worker was also killed in Saiton village, Bishnupur district on Saturday after Kuki militants targeted a group of women, who were working in a nearby held reaping paddy.

The civilian victim was hit by two bullets on her chest and abdomen killing her instantly.

Local residents expressed strong resentment against central security forces deployed in the area for not returning fire even after the Kuki militants targeted civilians working in the field and killed one.

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