Tangkhul man injured in attack by Kuki militants
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, November 11 2024: Unleashing terror on innocent civilians, Kuki militants sprayed bullets on farmers injuring one of them at Shanti Khongbal this morning.

The Kuki militants' attack on the farmers occurred at around 7 am .

The farmer who was injured in the brazen attack has been identified as Kanshok Horam, a 32-year-old Tangkhul man from New Canaan village.

11 farmers including Kanshok were harvesting paddy at a field near Yaingangpokpi Uyok Ching when they were fired upon by the Kuki militants from the direction of Layaram Cemetery near P Phaimol (Sangaren village) .

The 11 farmers included 9 Tangkhul people and 2 Gorkhas.

Kanshok was hit by shrapnels on his hands and legs.

Judging by the shrapnel wounds, sources familiar with gunshot wounds said the attack may have come from a close distance.

Kanshok was first rushed to Yaingangpokpi Primary Health Centre and after receiving some treatments, he was then referred to JNIMS Hospital.

Sources said the farmers were almost done harvesting when they came under indiscriminate and heavy firing.

Even as Kanshok was hit and injured, he managed to escape to safety along with two of his friends.

Others took cover in the field.

The 8 who were taking cover in the field were rescued to safety by Manipur Police and BSF personnel.

Meanwhile, Lamlai Kendra Village Volunteer Force's co-convenor, Oinam Okensana has blamed lack of security forces in the area for the attack.

The areas adjoining Imphal East and Kangpokpi have come under frequent attacks from the Kuki militants.

Even though there has been an agreement among the public, the local MLA and the SP Imphal East to station security forces, this has not materialised yet.

Instead of pursuing and engaging the Kuki militants who launched the attack and injured the farmer, security forces were blocking the road with their vehicles, he said.

He further alleged that the security forces were causing fear and panic among the innocent public instead of engaging with the militants.

A late report in the evening said bunkers on the Yaingangpokpi Uyok and Thamnapokpi Uyok hills have been dismantled, and the local MLA, Khong-bantabam Ibomcha has visited and taken stock of the situation at Shanti Khongbal.

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