Gun battle rages on, houses burnt down
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, May 29 2023: A fierce gun battle took place at Leimakhong between Kuki militants and State security forces today.

Notably, nine people including two police personnel were killed in gun battles between Kuki militants and combined security forces at different places yesterday.

A fierce gun battle ensued when Kuki militants burned down around 30 houses at Leimakhong Keithel, Leimakhong Ching-mang and Ingourok Ching- mang which are located close to the Assam Rifles' Leimakhong camp.

On seeing the burning houses, a combined team of Manipur Police, IRB and Manipur Rifles rushed to the area but they were greeted by a volley of fire.

The security forces retaliated resulting in a fierce gun battle.

Two civilians sustained injuries in the gun battle and they were taken to Imphal for treatment.

Enraged by the burning of houses, a group of Meitei villagers torched around five houses of Premnagar, Leimakhong.

Even as the Kuki militants were firing from atop the hill, the AR troops only took cover and did not retaliate, said the local villagers.

The gun battle has been raging on till the time of filing this report.

At least three persons were killed when Kuki militants opened fire at them in between Sugnu and Serou today.

Nonetheless, around 2800 villagers stranded at the residence of MLA K Ranjit at Serou were evacuated today with the help of bullet-proof vehicles provided by Assam Rifles.

Meanwhile, a 21 year old youth sustained bullet injuries when he was fired upon by Kuki militants using long range weapon like sniper rifle at Chandonpokpi, Bishnupur district.

The Kuki militants who have been occupying Tangjeng, a Meitei village, opened fire toward the volunteers guarding Chandon- pokpi village at around 2.30 pm today, injuring Naorem Dayananda alias Bobby (21) of Ithai on the abdomen.

Subsequently, village volunteers and commandos stationed nearby moved forward and engaged the Kuki militants in a gun battle.

The Kuki militants have even built bunkers at the entrance of Tangjeng village.

The Kuki militants have been occupying Napat and Tangjeng villages since some days back and they burnt down around 200 houses of the two villages yesterday.

In retaliation, some houses of Kansom Tampak and Gwaltabi were also torched.

On the other hand, continuing their all out war against unarmed Meitei people, a large number of well armed Kuki militants burned down many houses at Wapokpi, Bishnupur district in the wee hours today.

The Kuki militants reportedly came from Chakpikarong side in 20/30 vehicles.

Sources informed that the security forces engaged the Kuki militants in a prolonged gun battle.

On the other hand, local people have been blocking Yairipok-Thoubal Road, Yairipok-Kasom Khullen Road, Yairipok Bridge and Yairipok-Nongpok Keithelmanbi Road so as to prevent movement of paramilitary forces.

Notably, many CSOs and a large number of people have been accusing the Central paramilitary forces, particularly Assam Rifles of taking side with the Kuki militants in targeting unarmed Meitei civilians and villages.

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