1 Kuki killed, 4 Meetei injured in gunfight
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, January 27 2024: A gunfight broke out between armed Kukis and Meetei village volunteers in Satang Khul, which is located between Imphal East and Kangpokpi districts at about 5.30 am on Saturday, leaving one armed Kuki dead and four Meetei village volunteers injured.

Meanwhile, a Meira Paibi, who was among other directing civilians away from the area, lost her life in a road mishap.

The deceased armed Kuki has been identified as Timminlun Khongsai (26) of Ng Phainom village, while the Meira Paibi as Lairenlakpam Bimola (50) w/o Bijoy of Kangla Siphai.

The four injured village volunteers were taken to Shija Hospital (2), Raj Medicity (1) and RIMS (1) for treatment.

The volunteer admitted to RIMS hospital has already been discharged.

According to reports culled from the spot, armed Kukis rained down bullets in Satang village located near Khamenlok village at about 5.30am on Saturday.

The village volunteers also returned fire.

While one armed Kuki was killed on the spot, two Meetei volunteers sustained bullet injuries.

They were immediately evacuated from the area by other volunteers and rushed to the hospital.

On receiving news of the gunfight, personnel of 22 Assam Rifles deployed in Saikul rushed to, the spot and tried to put an end to the gunfight.

Meanwhile, village volunteers from other parts of the valley rushed in to Khamenlok for assistance.

Meira Paibi members from Khurai Lamlong Bazar and along Imphal-Ukhrul road also went to the area and assisted in diverting vehicular movement to one side of the road to make way for ambulance and other emergency services.

Village volunteers continued to pour into the spot till late afternoon and continued to exchange heavy fire with armed Kukis.

As the gunfight continued, ambulances of various hospitals arrived to assist and transport the injured.

Two more Meetei village volunteers sustained bullet injuries and were taken to hospital for treatment.

Armed Kukis from different parts of Kangpokpi district also rushed to the location and the gunfight continued till late evening.

Central paramilitary forces deployed in Saikul and Sagolmang area, and additional teams of district police concerned also arrived at the location and took stringent actions to put an end to the gunfight.

On the other hand, Meira Paibi Lairenlakpam Bimola, who was at the location to support the volunteers, was grievously injured in a road accident which took place at Tejpur Waiton Lamkhai at about 3.30 pm on Saturday.

She was immediately taken to JNIMS hospital but the doctor on duty declared her brought dead.

Kangla Siphai Youth Organisation (KSYO) extended deepest condolences over the demise of Bimola during an emergency meeting held on Saturday night.

KSYO also shared the grief of the bereaved family members.

Meanwhile, the Police Control Room through a statement informed that the situation in the state during the last 24 hours was tense but under control.

It also said that search operations and area domination were conducted in fringe and vulnerable areas of hill and valley districts.

It further informed that one individual was killed in a firing incident between armed miscreants at Satang Hill Range in Kangpokpi district.

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