Kuki militants on the offensive, farmer shot, hurt
Source: The Sangai Express

Moirang, June 19 2025: Days after a group of Kukis stopped Meitei farmers from ploughing their own fields, a 60-year-old farmer was shot and injured on his hand by Kuki militants in Bishnupur district today.

The incident, in the presence of Central security forces, occurred at around 3.15 pm at Phubala Maning Singeirok Loukol near Loktak Lift Irrigation High Canal, under Moirang police station.

The injured farmer has been identified as Ningthoujam Biren Singh of Phubala Awang Mamang Leikai.

A bullet struck his left hand.

He was rushed to the District Hospital Bishnupur and later taken to RIMS for medical treatment.

Kuki militants on the offensive, farmer shot, hurt

Reportedly, a Kuki woman identified as Hoikholhing of Lanchingmanbi village has been shot dead in security forces' retaliatory fire.

While official confirmation is awaited, sources said the woman was the chief of the village.

Nameirakpam Ibomcha, another farmer who was working on the field some distance away, said he first heard 3 rounds of gunshots and found N Biren wounded.

A burst of around 10 rounds was then heard and they crouched down on the field to take cover, Ibomcha said.

The Kuki militants fired at them from a stream some 50 metres away, Ibomcha said, stating he saw at least two of them.

He further stated that the Kuki militants' position was only 100-metres away from Central security forces deployed in the area.

Even after the farmers came under attack, the Central security forces' personnel didn't respond or pursue the militants, Ibomcha said.

The farmers were tilling their fields with a sense of security due to the presence of the Central security force personnel.

However, their failure to respond to the attack and protect the farmers has proved their ineffectiveness, said farmers who witnessed the attack.

Even during the President's Rule, the Kuki militants are firing at unarmed civilians and farmers at will.

The security forces have cracked down on Meitei village volunteers and recovered guns from them.

However, Kuki militants have been given a free hand and allowed to attack farmers tilling their own fields, the farmers added.

The attack on the farmers today triggered Meira Paibis to block Tiddim Road for some time in protest.

Notably, Kuki militants' intermittent but continuous attacks on farmers in Bishnupur district since May 2023 have killed and hurt several individuals including women.

On November 9, 2024, Sapam Sofia--a mother of three--was gunned down by Kuki militants at Wathalambi Loukol, Bishnupur district while she was working in the field.

Notably, the fresh gun attack on farmers came days after a confrontation broke out between Kukis and Meiteis at Pukhao Leitanpokpi Sadu Lampak, Imphal East under Sagolmang police station on June 15.The tense situation unfolded when some Meitei farmers were stopped by a group of Kukis from tilling their own paddy fields.

The situation deteriorated after some Kukis started using slingshots and pelting stones toward the Meitei farmers.

The Meitei farmers retaliated and an exchange of slingshots and pelting of stones went on till afternoon, before security forces defused the tension.

Meira Paibis in Phubala have meanwhile warned of a State-wide shutdown if the Governor, DGP, DC and SP fail to identify and produce the attackers before the public by 11 am tomorrow.

The shutdown will restrict all vehicular movement, except medical and emergency services and religious rituals.