Kuki attack flayed, rescue of 6 demanded
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, November 12 2024: Jiri Apunba Lup (JAL) has strongly condemned relentless attacks by armed Kuki-Zo-Hmar militants on Meetei villages of Jakuradhor Karong and Harinagar in Borobekra sub-division of Jiribam district.

The latest attack involving the use of advanced weapons and ammunition, occurred around 3 pm on November 11 .

According to a JAL statement, the militants set 16 houses ablaze and committed the horrific act of burning two elderly villagers alive.

The victims have been identified as Laishram Barel Singh (63) and Maibam Kesho Singh (71) .

Additionally, Pebam Rajkumar Singh (64) sustained serious injuries from gunfire.

The militants also abducted six members of a single family, including women and children identified as Yurembam Rani Devi (60), Telem Thoibi Devi (31), Telem Thajamanbi Devi (8), Laishram Heitonbi Devi (25), Laishram Chingkheinganba Singh (2.5), and Laishram Langamba Singh, an 8-month-old infant.

JAL has called on the government to take urgent action to rescue the kidnapped individuals and return them safely to their families within 24 hours.

They demanded-that the perpetrators be apprehended and subjected to appropriate legal actions at the earliest.

"Failure to do so will result in various forms of intense agitation with the support of the people of Jiribam," warned JAL.

Meanwhile, JAL lauded the timely response of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel stationed in the area, whose intervention prevented further casualties.

"The civilians could have suffered even greater losses if not for the swift action of the CRPF jawans," stated JAL and wished for swift recovery of the CRPF trooper injured during the confrontation.

JAL then called for ensuring the safety and security of all residents in Jiribam district.

Meanwhile, Salai Kanba Lup (SKL) demanded the government to make every possible effort to rescue the six missing individuals.

The organisation condemned the Kuki militants for their acts of terror against civilians, which included burning homes, killing residents, and abducting six individuals, including three children.

Appealing for the safety of the six innocent women and children, SKL cautioned that the government shall bear full responsibility should any harm be done to any of them.

SKL also called on the public to stand united and take decisive action to protect the state, its identity, integrity, and people from the ongoing terror activities perpetrated by the Kuki militants.

Jiri United Committee (JUC) has also strongly condemned the violent attack on civilians on Monday in Borobekra sub-division and called on the government to take immediate action to rescue the six abducted individuals and return them safely to their families within 24 hours.

Briefing the media at the Babupara office of Jiri Ima Meira Paibi Apunba Lup (JIMPAL) Tuesday afternoon, JUC convenor H Priyananda recounted the Kuki militants launched an attack on a relief camp near Borobekra police station and nearby houses, brutally killing two elderly men and abducting six women and children.

He stressed that the government must act swiftly to rescue the abducted individuals and ensure their safe return, failing which JUC, in collaboration with various civil society organisations (CSOs), would be compelled to launch strong agitation.

The convenor also criticised the government for not responding to prior requests for enhancing security in the area.

"We had requested the district administration and the state home department to deploy additional security forces, but these appeals went unanswered.

Had the government heeded our request and deployed the necessary reinforcements, Monday's tragedy could have been averted," he rued.

"In light of the recent violence, JUC will demand the establishment of police outposts in strategic locations, including Makha Basti, Jirimukh, and Chhotobekra, to enhance security and prevent future attacks," he disclosed.

Priyananda added that JUC, and the affected families, will not claim the bodies of the two Meetei victims until the government delivers justice for the bereaved families.

According to Yurembam Sanjoy Singh, a resident, 118 people had been staying in a relief camp set up for residents of nearby villages after violence and arson in June this year.

The rest of the Meeteis displaced from the area are staying in relief camps in Jiribam" town, about 20 kilometres away.

Amid firing and arson on Monday, people, ran helter-skelter and after it subsided, it came to light that 10 people from the relief camp were missing, out of who two bodies were found and another two had injuries but safe, he stated, adding that out of six missing three are women and three children.

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