At least 9 civilians killed in Kuki militants' attack
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, June 14 2023: At least 9 civilians were killed and 11 others were injured in one of the most violent attacks carried out by Kuki militants.

The incident occurred at around 10 pm yesterday near Kangpokpi district's Khamenlok village bordering Meitei villages of Imphal East district.

The nine persons killed in the attack have been identified as Yumnam Surjit Kumar (43) son of Kulla Meitei of Okshu Ningthemcha Mayai Leikai; Laishram Suresh (33) son of L Samungou of Okshu Ningthemcha; Haobijam Somenkumar (33) son of H Chaoba Singh of Pangei Waiton Lamkhai; Moirangthem Heman (34) son of M Nilla of Okshu Mamang Leikai; Konjengbam Shankar (25) son of K Shamungou of Itam Nungoi Awang Leikai; Telem Thoithoi (28) son of T Surjit Meitei of Leimakhong Mapal; RK Prasanta (28) son of RK Shantamani of Kongpal Ningthoubung Leikai; Laishram Naothoibi (32) son of L Hembi Devi of Kongpal Ningthoubung Leikai and Laishram Abung (37) of Kangla Sang-gomsang Awang Leikai.

At least 9 civilians killed in Kuki militants' attack

All of them, including those killed and injured, are village volunteers, said sources, adding three individuals are still missing.

While the injured are being treated at hospitals in Imphal, the death toll may increase as conditions of some of the injured village volunteers are critical.

Sources said several houses have been burnt by unknown miscreants at 9 villages including Khamen-lok, Khopibung, Chalou- phai, Phainom, Aigejang, Thombol, Thangza and Salam Patong village in Kangpokpi district.

Around 30 houses were burnt at Thangza and Salam Patong village at around 9.30 am.

According to reliable sources, a group of at least 20 village volunteers were preparing to have their meal yesterday night when Kuki militants and their supporters, armed with sophisticated weapons, opened fire and lobbed bombs at them.

The Kuki militants fired RPGs and other sophisticated ammunition from a close range.

The bodies of the deceased have cut marks, said sources.

It may be noted that the situation has been volatile since the past few days with Kuki militants attacking Nongshum and adjoining Meitei inhabited areas from Khamenlok.

Yesterday, the Kuki militants retreated from the area after security forces and village volunteers retaliated and exchanged fire with them.

In the attack, seven of the volunteers were killed instantly and 13 injured were evacuated to Raj Medicity late at night.

Two of the 13 injured died on the way to hospital.

Of the 11 injured persons, two have been discharged from Raj Medicity.

Bodies of seven deceased have been deposited at JNIMS, Porompat.