Phougakchao comes under sustained attack
Source: The Sangai Express

Moirang, August 08 2024: After a lull of around nine months, Kuki militants bombarded and fired upon Meetei residential areas at Phougakchao Ikhai Mamang Leikai for about nearly an hour today.

Police, however, claimed that the firing was between Kuki and Zomi groups.

The attack which began at around 2.05 pm continued till 2.35 pm in full rage.

From 2.35 pm the firing continued till 2.57 intermittently.

It is reported that the attack was launched by Kuki militants from the courtyard of a Meetei family at Torbung Sabal Maning Leikai where a large number of Central forces is deployed.

It is said that Torbung Sabal Maning Leikai is situated on the western side of a market occupied by security forces in between Torbung and Phougakchao Ikhai Bazar.

Phougakchao comes under sustained attack

No Meetei families have returned to Torbung Maning Leikai as of yet.

Notably, Torbung-Phougakchao Ikhai area under Kumbi AC is the first area where Kuki militants and their associates ran amok on May 3, 2023, making hundreds of innocent displaced after they were chased by the aggressors.

Several houses were also burnt on that day at Torbung-Phougakchao Ikhai area.

The fresh attack comes amid the initiative taken up to resettle the displaced people at Torbung Mamang Leikai.

According to reports culled from the spot, some displaced people from Phougakchao Ikhai and Torbung Mamang Sabal Leikai have started returning to their place after spending months in relief camps.

The locals said that Kuki militants attacking Meetei villages in broad daylight despite the deployment of Central forces exposes the lapses in the security measures.

It is further reported that bullet marks were seen at different houses, shops and a community hall at Phougakchao Ikhai.

Spent bullets of AK Rifles were also found in the area.

The locals said the Central and State security personnel also fired some rounds towards the Kuki militants.

A group of media persons also rushed to the site after learning about the attack but they were detained near Phougakchao Ikhai by the security force for security reasons.

After the attack, the media persons rushed to Phougakchao Ikhai Mamang Leikai and saw some armed Kukis staying at the residence of one Yumnan Tomba at Torbung Sabal Maning Leikai in a drone footage.

A meira paibi leader from Phougakchao Ikhai Mamang Leikai said that Kuki militants also attacked their village on July 4 .

Claiming that Assam Rifles allow Kuki militants to attack Meeteis whenever they like, she added that the paramilitary force has been taking the side of Kuki since the outbreak of the unrest in Manipur.

Kukis have mostly been attacking Meeteis right under the nose of Assam Rifles, she claimed and added normalcy will return to Manipur only when a neutral force is deployed in the State.