Two killed, Army JCO, meira Paibis among 14 injured
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, February 13 2024: Kuki militants launched attacks in two areas under Imphal East district on Tuesday, leading to the death of a village volunteers and injuries suffered by 10 people including three Meira Paibis.

A Kuki militant also got killed and three others injured in exchange of gunfire while a JCO of Indian Army sustained bullet injury in one of the battle zones but is said to be out of danger and undergoing treatment at Leimakhong military hospital.

The deceased village volunteer has been identified as Sagolsem Loya (25), son of Ranjit of Pukhao Shantipur while the Kuki militant killed in the gunfire has been identified as Demkhogin Khongsai (39), son of Lhunkam Khongsai of Saikul.

As per ground reports, the intermittent attacks by Kuki militants towards Pukhao Shantipur village in Imphal East district since the intervening night of February 11 and 12 stopped for some hours on Monday night.

The attack by Kuki militants towards the Meetei village situation close to Kangpopi district resumed after Monday midnight with use of bombs and automatic weapons.

Village volunteers guarding the fringe retaliated the gunfire thereby resulting in a fierce gun-battle between the two sides till Tuesday afternoon.

One Kuki militant was killed in the gun-battle while three others were injured.

The injured trio was given first aid at Saikul and then transported to Kangpokpi for further treatment.

Meetei village volunteer named Loya too got hit in the gun-battle and succumbed to injuries at Raj Medicity, North AOC, Imphal.

Loya's body has been deposited at JNIMS morgue for post mortem.

At least seven Meetei village volunteers were also injured in the gun-battle at Pukhao Shantipur.

Among them, six have been admitted at Raj Medicity and one at Shija hospitals, Langol.

On receipt of reports of the Kuki militants' attack, many village volunteers and Meira Paibis moved towards Pukhao Shantipur.

After a brief lull in the evening hours, Kuki militants resumed attacking Pukhao Shantipur with bring from both sides continuing till late evening.

On the other hand, Kuki militants launched attack at Tham-napokpi village under Lamlai police station in Imphal East district from 11am Tuesday onwards which village volunteers retaliated resulting in another gun battle.

A woman staying in her own house was injured in the attack by Kuki militants from Thamnapokpi Uyokching side using bombs.

The woman suffered splinter injury as a bomb exploded near her house and rushed to Raj Medicity, North AOC for treatment.

A Junior Commissioned Officer (JCO) of 20 Jat Regiment, caught in the gun-battle, too suffered bullet injury on the thigh and has been evacuated to military hospital at Leimakhong for treatment.

The JCO is said to be out of danger.

After getting news of the gun-battle at Thamnapokpi, Indian Army deployed nearby blocked the Imphal-Ukhrul road at Nongada area by parking bullet-proof Casspir vehicles on the middle of the road thereby preventing movement of vehicle including ambulance.

Later, ambulances and emergency vehicles were allowed to cross the area.

Local Meira Paibis and many women coming from different parts of the state protested blocking of the Imphal-Ukhrul road by Indian Army.

One Meira Paibi was injured when confrontation broke out between Army personnel blocking the road and the protesting Meira Paibis after the former tried to control the situation.

Kuki militants also launched attacks at Singda and Kadangband Part 1 in Imphal West district from 4.30pm on Tuesday but no report of casualty was reported.

Kuki militants also attacked Kadang band Part 2 from 5pm onwards and the attack with sophisticated weapons left one village volunteer and a local woman injured.

The in -jured village volunteer was rushed to Raj Medicity and the woman to RIMS hospital.

The Woman, grazed by a bullet on her'back, was with her children in the courtyard of her house when the Kuki militants attacked the Meetei village.

The firing left walls of many houses of Kadangband Part 2 with bullet holes.

Village volunteers and state forces guarding the village retaliated the fire thereby resulting in another gun-battle of the day.

Almost at the same time, Kuki militants attacked Senjam Chirang in Imphal West district but there is no report of casualty.

In view of the intermittent attacks by Kuki militants from atop of nearby hills towards Pukhao Shantipur and gun-fights at some other nearby areas, Indian Army conducted trial landing of helicopter so that choppers could be utilised in emergency situation.

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