No let up in firing by Kuki militants
Source: The Sangai Express
Moirang, August 17 2023:
Kuki militants and their supporters have not changed their aggressive posture after they launched a pre-planned offensive against the Meitei people on May 3 .
Kuki militants fired several rounds of shots and mortar shells toward Thamnapokpi, Bishnupur district yesterday too.
Within 24 hours of launching the pre-planned offensive, Kuki militants blew the water pipeline which used to supply potable water from Thangjing hills to the nearby villages.
Thamnapokpi Peace Committee convenor L Ningthem said that the people of Thinungei, Phubala, Sunusiphai, Naranseina, Thamnapokpi, Ngangkha-lawai, Moirang, Tronglaobi and Terakhongshangbi have been deprived of potable water since May 4 after Kuki militants blew up the main pipeline.
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He lamented that there has been no response even after the authorities concerned have been approached repeatedly to restore the water pipeline and arrange an alternative source of water.
People have been facing severe difficulties on account of scarcity of potable water, Ningthem said.
The protracted violence has already impoverished the people as they have little time or space to earn money.
Now they have to endure extreme misery as they have been compelled to buy potable water, he said.
Reacting to the statements of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister N Biren given at the Independence Day celebrations that peace is gradually returning to the State, the Thamnapokpi Peace Committee convenor asked if peace has returned to the State in reality.
Yesterday too, Kuki militants who have been occupying the neighbouring Kom village and have built bunkers fired several rounds of shots and two bombs toward Thamnapokpi, he said.
People residing in peripheral areas are still caught in a highly insecure situation, he continued.
Moreover, farmers cannot tend to their paddy fields as the State security forces sent by the Government to protect farmers are too little.
Over 700 paris of paddy fields located above the high canal of Loktak Lift Irrigation cannot be cultivated properly so far because of incessant attacks by Kuki militants.
Moreover, farmers who went to paddy fields on the lower side of the high canal too come under attacks from Kuki militants every now and then, Ningthem said.
Some 40/50 cattle have gone missing from Ningthoukhong, Tronglaobi and other neighbouring villages.
These cattle were shot and slaughtered by Kuki militants.
A few lucky cattle escaped the slaughter with bullet injuries, he said.
Whereas Meitei village defence volunteers have been strictly complying with the instructions given by the Sikh Regiment stationed in the area, there is no let up to firing by Kuki militants, Ningthem continued.
It appeared that the Central security forces have not been saying anything to the Kuki militants and their supporters.
He went on to question if the laws of the country are not applicable in Kuki dominated areas or whether there are two sets of separate laws for the hills and the valley.
He then urged both the Central Government and the State Government to take up some concrete actions in order to bring the violence to an end at the earliest.