3 killed in Kangpokpi; Meetei villages attacked
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, September 12 2023:
Three Kuki-Zo civilians were reportedly killed in an ambush by armed Meiteis on Tuesday around 8:20 am.
The deceased have been identified as Satneo Tuboi and Ngamminlun Lhouvum of K Ponlen and Ngamminlun Kipgen of Lhangkichoi.
The ambush was carried out between Ireng and Karam Vaiphei village in Kangpokpi district.
While conceding that there is limited details about the incident, a news agency quoted a police official as saying: "All we know is that the incident took place around 8.20 am when unidentified men gunned down three civilians in an area between Ireng and Karam Vaiphei" .
The incident comes close on the heels of the violence that broke out at Pallel in Tengnoupal district in which three persons were killed and over 50 injured on September 8 .
Meanwhile, armed Kukis continued to attack Meetei villages in different parts of Bishnupur district by firing incessantly towards the bunkers set up by village volunteers for protecting their respective villages.
The firing, which started from 11 pm on Monday and lasted till 12:30 am on Tuesday, targeted bunkers constructed by Meetei village volunteers at Phougakchao Ikhai Awang Maning Leikai under Ikhai police station and Narensena and Phubala Maning under Moirang police station.
There were no reports of casualty.
Armed Kukis also attacked Kout-ruk from Koutruk Ching on Tuesday evening using bombs.
According to local sources, the armed Kukis first unleashed bombs around 6.30 pm and rained bullets.
As the Meetei village defenders retaliated the exchange of fire continued till late evening.
On the other-hand, Assam Rifles and Manipur police recovered a huge cache of weapons, ammunition and war like stores during a joint operation conducted in the general area of Kholmun village in Churachandpur district on Tuesday.
According to PRO IGAR (S), a total of 10 weapons along with ammunition including one each of M4 assault rifle and 9mm carbine, two single barrel rifles, four 9mm pistols, two improvised mortars, ammunition and war like stores were recovered during the search operation carried out on the basis of specific intelligence.
The recovered items have been handed over to Churachandpur police station, the PRO added.