Kuki militants continue offensive, Kumbi village attacked
Four woodcutters reported missing
Source: The Sangai Express
Moirang, January 10 2024:
Peace remains elusive in Bishnupur as Kuki militants attacked Haotak Village in Kumbi today while four persons from Wangoo have gone missing after they went to collect firewood at Haotak Mapalok Chakpi Ching.
The whereabouts of the four persons viz Ahanthem Dara Singh (55), Oinam Romen (38) s/o Oinam Pishak, Thoudam Ibomcha (51) and his son Thoudam Anand (20) couldn't be confirmed at the time this report was filed.
All of them are residents of Wangoo Sabal Akasoi.
After being displaced by the unending violence and the aggression of Kuki militants, the locals of Haotak in Kumbi started rehabilitating at their native place only recently thinking that they would be safe.
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They, however, were attacked yet again by the Kuki militants using bombs and sophisticated weapons today possibly to serve a warning that their return is not welcomed and peace is not their call.
The Kuki militants attacked Haotak from the top of the hill range known as Meisnam Chingsang in the adjoining areas of Bishnupur and Churachandpur at around 3.20 pm.
Initially, the Kuki militants fired four bombs, two of which fell near Haotak Tampak Community Hall and exploded while the two others went off some 100 metres ahead on the eastern side of the community hall.
Reportedly, the personnel of Mahar Regiment and BSF deployed in the area didn't retaliate in the initial stage of the Kuki militants' attack.
Some minutes later, State forces and 2nd Mahar Regiment of Kumbi rushed to the site and shot many rounds back toward the aggressor Kuki militants.
After a brief lull, the Kuki militants started firing and shelling bombs at around 5.10 pm again taking advantage of the gloomy environment.
Two bombs fell at the courtyard of two families at Haotak Tampha Khunou and exploded.
Some damages were done to the houses.
There was a heated exchange of fire between the combined team of State force and Mahar Regiment and Kuki militants.
The attack of Kuki militants stopped after the personnel of Mahar Regiment climbed the hill and started searching for the aggressors.
Meanwhile, four more people have gone missing after they went to collect wood from Haotak Mapalok Chakpi Ching.
They went out of their respective houses before Kuki militants attacked Haotak.
Speaking to the media, one Khoidongbam Pridarsi said that they returned to Haotak after spending months at relief camps thinking that law and order situation has improved and asked what kind of peace has the State Government been talking about if Kuki militants can attack them and other Meetei villages anytime they want.
Komol, another villager of Haotak, said that they were attacked by Kuki militants while they were at their paddy fields.
He added that the Kuki militants attacked from a distance as far as about 1.5 km from Meisnam Chingsang.
Saying that the Government and security forces couldn't control Kuki militants and at the same time don't allow the Meetei volunteers to retaliate, he said that Meeteis have been restricted to a tight corner in the current crisis.
There is no report of injuries and additional security forces have reached the area.