Meetei villagers flee after firing in Kuki villages
Source: Chronicle News Service

Bishnupur, August 08 2024: Meetei villagers settling nearby Kuki villages such as Motiang, K Kotlen and New Jalenphai under Churachandpur district fled to safer places after intense gunfight erupted in these Kuki villages around 2:30 pm Thursday.

As the firing intensified and seven bombs landed in areas under Phougakchao Ikhai, Torbung and Phougakchao Ikhai Makha Bazar, villagers moved to safer areas.

The bombs, however, did not explode.

Amid the exchange of firing, Army engaged two Casspir vehicles in Trong-laobi and Moirangkhunou to prevent entry of outsiders, while a police barricade was set up at Phougakchao Ikhai Bazar to discourage movement of people.

A team led by Bishnupur SP Ksh Ravikumar, additional SP (Ops) and additional SP (L&O), DSP (commando), Bishnupur Commando OC, Moirang Police SDPO and Moirang police station OC also arrived and checked the security situation.

Speaking to media persons, a Torbung villager as expressed that after signs of normalcy in Phougakchao Ikhai, Torbung and Kangvai areas, some of the villagers returned to their homes but due to firing of around 20 rounds by Kuki militants towards Phougakchao Ikhai some nights back the situation turned tense.

In such situation, Thursday's incident created panic, he said adding that till adequate security is guaranteed they might ponder over returning home.

Meanwhile, 19 Garhwal Rifles troops posted at Kangvai detained one Md Karrimmuddin alias Raffeuddin (49), son of Md Sasuruddin of Kwakta Khuman Awang Leikai amidst the firing incident on Thursday.

As news of his detention spread, locals protested and subsequently, he was handed over to Phougakchao Ikhai police station and later released on PR bond.

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