2 hurt as Kuki militants rain bullets on farmers
Source: The Sangai Express
Bishnupur, July 25 2023:
With two civilians injured in fresh firing early morning today, Phougakchao Ikhai Awang Leikai has become a constant battlefield and place of target practice for Kuki militants.
Kuki militants started firing heavy rounds of bombs and bullets at around 11.30 pm yesterday till 2.30 am today, afterwhich intermittent firing took place till 4 this morning.
While the militants had fired at the civilian settlements at Phougakchao from Vaiphei village and Chingkham Heikol side, State commandos and BSF returned fire.
However, the two persons who sustained bullet injuries were not hurt in the exchange of fire but some time later in a separate incident of indiscriminate firing by Kuki militants.
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The two injured, who are now receiving treatment at Raj Medicity, have been identified as Md Sahid Sangomshumpham (25) son of Md Helaruddin of Kwakta Gram Panchayat Ward No 9 Charangpat and Nongthombam Rakeshor (43), son of N Dolen of Phougakchao Ikhai Awang Leikai, Kumbi Assembly Constituency.
Md Sahid was shot and injured while he was cleaning an irrigation canal in a Meitei Loukol (field) close to Phougakchao Ikhai Awang Leikai at around 4.30 am today.
He was driving a JCB, on the request of Meitei farmers, and dredging the canal.
He was hit by bullets on his right hand, belly, chest and private part.
N Rakeshor was struck by bullets when he tried to rescue and bring Md Sahid to safety.
He was hit by bullets on his left hand and left leg.
Md Sahid was first rushed to Moirang CHC and given first aid before being taken to District Hospital Bishnupur and then to Raj Medicity.
N Rakeshor was taken to Kwakta PHC and then referred to Raj Medicity.
N Rakeshor was staying at a relief camp at Phougakchao Ikhai Awang Leikai.
Villagers at the relief camp said the Kuki militants' attack happened in the presence of the Central security forces.
BSF and CRPF personnel are deployed at Phougakchao Ikhai Maning Leikai and Awang Leikai, they said.
As the farmers of the area had little hope to carry out agricultural works in the interiors near the hills, they were trying to take up agricultural activities in the fields near Tiddim road, they said.
The Kuki militants, however, came down to the middle of the field from Vaiphei village and other nearby places and fired towards the relief camp and persons working in the field injuring the two persons, they said.
They claimed that the Kuki militants fire at them daily indiscriminately while the Central security forces refuse to return fire.
Previously, the area was guarded by Meitei village volunteers who possessed license guns and State security forces.
While people had hoped that the deployment of the Central security forces would deter the Kuki militants from attacking civilians, the Central security forces have not been not returning fire and engaging the Kuki militants when they fired at civilians, they claimed.
The villagers, they said, are worried about their safety and want more State force personnel in the area.
In fact, the villagers want only the State force and village volunteers to protect them, they said.
"The sentiments are high among the villagers and they have reached a point where they want to directly engage the Kuki militants with whatever they have, knife and sticks to protect their houses and land," they said.
It may be noted here that on May 26 at around 4.30 pm, Kuki militants indiscriminately fired at the Meitei settlements in Phougakchao Ikhai Awang Leikai and burnt down more than 30 Meitei houses.
Phougakchao Ikhai Awang Leikai falls under Torbung Gram Panchayat, Phougakchao Ikhai police station.