Attacks continue In Sanasabi, scribe injured
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, December 28 2024: A video journalist of Impact TV sustained gunshot injuries in an early morning attack by Kuki militants at Sanasabi village in Imphal East district on Saturday.

According to reports from the spot, Kuki militants had been continuously attacking the village since Friday morning.

On receiving news of the attacks, the district police and additional state forces rushed into the area and returned fire.

After the attack briefly halted in the afternoon, it resumed at around 7pm, resulting in exchange of fire.

At around 11.30 pm, a woman near Immanuel School, Yangangpokpi sustained a gunshot wound on her leg.

Attacks continue In Sanasabi, scribe injured

Early Saturday morning, the suspected militants launched an aggressive attack at Sanasabi village.

At around 7.30am, Impact TV video journalist Leimapokpam Kabichandra (Kabi), who was present in the area covering the attack, was hit by a bullet fired from the direction of Thamnapokpi Uyokching.

The bullet struck his left thigh and he was immediately taken to Raj Medicity by state forces on a Casspir.

The reports continued that bullets and bombs rained down from Yaingangpokpi Uyokching, Thamnapokpi Uyokching, Natumching and Urangpat Maning direction towards the Meetei villages in Sabungkhok Khunnou, Shantikhongbal, Thamnapokpi and Sanasabi areas for the past three days.

The attacks intensified from Friday morning and with rounds being fired from the hilltop of Yaingangpokpi PS and Gwaltabi in the evening.

It may be noted that after the conflict broke out on May 3 last year, suspected Kuki militants had taken over and constructed bunkers in Yaingangpokpi Uyokching and Thamnapokpi Uyokching areas.

Attacks continue In Sanasabi, scribe injured

On receiving news of the attack, additional state security forces rushed to the location but were prevented from moving forward by several Army vehicles including a Casspir, resulting in huge a stand-off.

Condemning the blockade, a large crowd converged on the scene and forced the central forces to return from the location.

On the other hand, a huge stand-off ensued between the crowd and the Indian army late into the night after the latter tried to prevent support teams for relief camps including ambulances from entering the area at Muirei Lamkhai area.

Meanwhile, teams of the Indian army and central paramilitary forces were stopped on the road by Kuki womenfolk, when the former tried to enter Saimol village to conduct a search operation at around 1pm on Saturday to control the attack of Kuki militants.

As the central forces present along Yaingangpokpi Bazar to Thamnapokpi retreated from the area, the locals stopped the forces at Yaingangpokpi Bazar, urging for protection.

Speaking to media persons, Yaingangpokpi Nupi Lamjing Meira Paibi member Thokchom Jita said that the continuous attacks since December 24 morning has forced many to flee their homes for safer locations.

The central forces deployed in the area did not return fire or thought of saving the people from the attacks.

She questioned who is to be held responsible for the many families who are rendered homeless after their houses were burned down, and "urged" the government and central forces to kill all the civilians if they cannot ensure their safety.