Kuki militant killed as gunfights erupt
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, April 28 2024:
Tensions gripped the state as Kuki militants launched a series of attacks on Meetei villages, resulting in a deadly confrontation that claimed the life of one suspected Kuki militant, on Sunday.
The clashes occurred a day after two CRPF personnel lost their lives and two others left injured at Naranseina, Bishnupur district when Kuki militants bombarded a CRPF camp.
Since early morning Sunday, Kuki militants fired towards Kadangband and Koutruk, two Meetei villages nestled in the foothills of the Koubru range of Imphal West district.
The assailants, reportedly from Bethel village in Kangpokpi district, unleashed a barrage of bombs and opened fire towards the unsuspecting villagers of Koutruk.
Meetei village volunteers and security forces, including personnel of CRPF and IRB, fired in retaliation leading to an intense exchange of fire lasting several hours.
The first gunfight ensued from 2 am to 2.30am followed by the second from 6.20 am until 10.30 am.
Simultaneously, Kuki militants from Nakhujang village targeted Kadangband Part 1 and 2 villages in a separate assault from around 4 am.
Despite the militants' attempts, the combined efforts of security forces and Meetei village volunteers effectively repelled the attack.
The initial gunfight lasted for around half an hour.
After around two and half hour, the Kuki militants struck again around 7 am resulting in intense gunfight for around half an hour.
The situation remained under control, with no reported injuries among the Meetei village volunteers and security forces.
Retaliatory fire from the foothills claimed the life of one Kuki militant identified as Lammang Kipgen (44) son of Lahunlet Kipgen of L Molsang village in Kangpokpi district.
He was part of the militant team that launched the attack on Koutruk from Bethel village.
He succumbed to gunshot wounds around 2.30 am during the confrontation.
On the other hand, news agencies quoted police as saying that several armed cadres opened indiscriminate fire on Koutruk village from the adjoining hills in Kangpokpi district which the armed village volunteers retaliated.
Due to the gun-battle, villagers including women, children and elderly persons fled to safer places.
Country-made mortar shells known as 'Pumpi' were also used in the bring and caused panic among residents, the agencies said, adding that some of the shells pierced walls of the homes of the villagers.
A huge contingent of combined Central and state security forces have rushed to the area to bring the situation under control.
Mention may be made that on April 24, a vital bridge on National Highway-2 in Kangpokpi district was badly damaged in IED blast, disrupting the movement of traffic between Manipur and the rest of the country via Nagaland.
According to a PTI report, one person was killed and three others injured in the gunfight on Sunday.
Dozens of gunmen attacked Koutruk in Imphal West district on Sunday morning from elevated hilltops of neighbouring Kangpokpi district prompting village volunteers deployed in the fringe village to retaliate with exchange of fire gradually spreading to adjacent villages of Kadangband and Senjam Chirang.
Koutruk village has been witness to intense gunfights between the two warring communities since ethnic violence broke out on May 3 last year.
It has been identified as one of the most vulnerable areas for gun attacks.
More than 200 people have been killed and thousands rendered homeless in ethnic strife between Meeteis and Kukis since May 3 last year.
Meanwhile, denouncing the killing, the Kangpokpi district-based Committee on Tribal Unity (COTU) has called for a 12-hour shutdown in the district from noon of April 28 .
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