Several Meitei villages come under attack from Kuki armed miscreants
9 including two cops killed : AIR report
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, May 28 2023: Armed Kukis literally opened war on Meiteis by attacking Meitei villages in different directions almost simultaneously in the wee hours of today.

Five people including one police commando were killed in the well-planned and well-coordinated attacks.

All India Report, Imphal however reported that a total of 9 people including two policemen were killed.

The armed Kukis also burnt down 200 houses at Napat and Tangjeng in Bishnupur district.

In a distressing turn of events, the armed Kukis, using sophisticated weapons and heavy guns, launched multiple attacks in various peripheral areas of the valley, resulting in the loss of many lives.

Several Meitei villages come under attack from Kuki armed miscreants

Apart from opening indiscriminate fire upon the Meitei people, the Kuki gunmen also burnt down hundreds of houses.

Despite assurances from Chief Minister N Biren that all the people are now safe, five individuals including a police commando, succumbed to bullet injuries since the early hours today till the time of filing this report.

In addition to two police commandos, many other civilians also sustained bullet wounds and they are currently receiving treatment at different hospitals.

Out of the four civilians killed, two belonged to Wangoo in Bishnupur district while the other two hailed from Phayeng, Imphal West and Laingoubi Mayai Leikai, Bishnupur district.

During a gun battle at Sugnu, Kakching district, two police commandos were injured and one of them later succumbed to the injuries at Raj Medicity.

One of the Meitei civilians killed by the Kuki armed cadres has been identified as Khumanthem Kenedy (28) s/o Iboyaima of Laingoubi Mayai leikai.

He got bullet injuries in his stomach and was declared brought dead at Raj Medicity.

He was shot in the adjoining area of Nungou Chandon Pokpi and Kamson today morning during a gun fight with Kuki militants.

Assistant Sub Inspector of Thoubal commando identified as Thokchom Kiran (47) of Purana Heitupokpi got bullet injury on his right shoulder today morning at Laiching area of Sugnu and he succumbed to the injury at Raj Medicity.

Three other persons who sustained bullet injuries also succumbed on their way to hospital.

They have been identified as Th Naotomba (30) of Wangoo Pungjao Makhong, A Yaiphaba (17) of Wangoo Ahallup and A Basanta (30) of Phayeng Ching Khunou.

The injured commando personnel who are undergoing treatment at Raj Medicity have been identified as Wangkheimayum Chanson (30) of Wangkhei Amu Leirak and Sapam Bisharup (34) of Wangbal Mayai Leikai.

Eight other persons who sustained injuries at Yaingangpokpi area are presently undergoing treatment at JNIMS, said sources.

Sources further said that there might be casualties on the side of the Kuki armed men too during the gunfight at Yaingangpokpi.

Some Kuki militants were also reportedly arrested with arms by a combined team of police and paramilitary forces.

Another commando personnel of Imphal East who sustained bullet injury at Yaingangpokpi is also undergoing treatment at Raj Medicity.

Around 7/8 houses were burnt down by the Kuki armed miscreants at Sanasabi and Shati Khongbal in Imphal East district and Gwaltabi at around 3.30 am today.

At least nine people sustained injuries in the violent clash.

The situation was still tense at the time of filing this report.

These incidents have triggered widespread unrest, prompting enraged mobs to take to the streets and stage violent protests in various areas of the valley.

Curfew which was initially relaxed from 5 am to 4 pm was cut short at 11.30 am.

Subsequent upon the acts of war unleashed by the Kuki 'terrorists', angry mobs set fire to abandoned structures in Pureiromba Khongnangkong, Khongsai Veng and Chingmeirong in Imphal East and near Lamphel Fisheries in Imphal West.

Further, a mob stormed the residence of Uripok AC MLA Kh Raghumani and damaged properties for his perceived inaction to safeguard Manipur's integrity during this crisis.

One protester who was said to be a part of the mob sustained injury after some rounds of bullets were fired upon the mob from the residential compound of the MLA.

The injured person identified as Thoudam Roshan (37) of Uripok Khaidem Leikai was evacuated to Raj Medicity with bullet injury on his back and is presently undergoing treatment.

On the other hand, armed Kukis set ablaze numerous houses belonging to the Meitei community at the border town of Moreh.

Numerous houses at Moreh Turel Wangma Leikai, Khunou Leikai, Heinoumakhong Leikai and Dharamsala Meitei Leikai were burnt down by Kuki militants at around 9.30 am today.

With the paramilitary forces watching silently when the numerous houses were burnt down by the Kuki armed men, many people have questioned the purpose of stationing a large number of paramilitary forces at the border town.

Enraged by the daring and repeated attacks by the Kuki armed miscreants who also burnt down a large number of houses and the Government's failure to contain the violence, a large number of people burnt an effigy of Chief Minister N Biren at Wangjing-Heirok Lamkhai.

They accused N Biren of holding to the Chief Minister's seat tightly and watching silently when more and more innocent civilians were being killed on a daily basis.

Later, they marched to Wangjing Wangkhei and attacked the residence of Wangjing-Tentha MLA Paonam Brojen.

As the mob pelted stones, the house suffered some damages.