Kuki militants continue to target Haotak
Source: The Sangai Express

Moirang, January 12 2024: Haotak lately has become the hotbed of Kuki militants' onslaught as the village under Kumbi Constituency has been attacked again with bombs and sophisticated weapons in the wee hours today.

The attack at Haotak Tampha Khunou came amid the tense atmosphere in the area at around 1.25 am following the inhuman murder of three persons who went to collect firewood.

Notably, the three persons were found mercilessly murdered while the whereabouts of the fourth person Ahanthem Dara is still not known despite search operations being carried out by Central forces.

Reportedly, Kuki militants came towards Haotak Tampha Khunou Thoubal Leikai from Dampi side, a Kuki village, and carried out the attack.

There was an exchange of fire after the personnel of 2nd Maha Regiment and 144 BSF retaliated.

The firefight continued till about 3 am and there was a brief lull before the Kuki militants started firing again at around 5.30 am.

The second exchange of fire lasted for over an hour and it halted at around 7.10 am .

A reinforcement team of district police also took part in the gunfight.

It is reported that a team of State forces led by Additional SP Bishnupur (Law and Order) Satyam Takhellambam took up security measures to put the situation under control. There is no report of any injury on the side of security personnel but sources said that there might be some injuries among the Kuki militants.

The locals hid at a nearby paddy field during the attack.

Speaking to the media, one woman from the locality said that they returned to their village only recently to restart their lives with whatever little they have, thinking they won't be targeted again.

Saying that they have lost all hope as they have been attacked repeatedly while trying to restart their lives from scratch, she asked how Kuki militants can attack them so easily despite the deployment of Central forces.

"We don't want the protection of the Central force and we don't feel safe with them in the area", she said, visibly dejected.

Another local said that the attack of the Kuki militants came from three places close to the Meetei village located on the western side of Haotak Tampha Khunou.

Saying that they are not in the position to even feed their livestock and poultry, he urged the Government to work out a solution to the violence at the earliest.

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