COTU condemns torching of Kuki villages
Source: Chronicle News Service
Kpi, June 13 2023:
After H Khopibung village was burnt on Monday, Khamenlok Kuki village adjacent to H Khopibung and two other nearby villages were attacked at about 5.10 pm Tuesday.
After few hours of firing, Khamenlok, Aigejang and Chullouphai Kuki villages were torched by alleged Meitei groups.
H Khopibung, Khamenlok,.
Chullouphai, K Phaimol, Aigejang, Thombol, Jordenphai, Song-jang and Govajang are the Kuki villages in Khamenlok area, out of which H Khopibung, Khamenlok, Aigejang and Chullouphai have been ravaged.
Meanwhile, H Khopibung chief Thangminlal Chongloi condemned the act of arson as well as refuted alleged misleading report pub lished by media houses based in Imphal in connection with the torching of his village.
Expressing strong resentment that the reports were published without ascertaining the fact, Thangminlal said village volun teers saw Meitei groups moving up at hilltops from Uyumpok at about 5am and then started firing at the village from 8am.Retaliation from village volunteers resulted in a fierce day-long gun battle.
As the Meitei group outnumbered the Kuki village volunteers around 2000 people of the former entered the village and torched all houses and properties, he said adding that entire villagers of H Khopibung are scattered in Saikul area.
He also identified four volunteers who suffered bullet injuries during the gunfight as Lunginthang Khongthang (26), son of son of Tholet Khongthang of Dongsum village, Sesem Kipgen (27), son of Hemang Kipgen of Keithelmanbi village, Haoboi Karoung (22), son of Seilenthang Karoung and Seimin-lal Khongsai (29), son of Lamseh Khongsai, both from Khamenlok.
All the injured persons have been shifted to Saikul PHC and all of them are out of danger.
Meanwhile, Committee on Tribals Unity Sadar Hills (COTU) condemned frequents attacks on Kuki villages in Saikul sub-division of Kangpokpi district since Monday.
COTU spokesperson Rev K Sitlhou said that Kuki villages continued to face attacks and the houses torched despite efforts by Union home minister and various central agencies to bring peace and normalcy in the state.
He then drew immediate intervention of Centre by taking firm action to end violence, attack, killing and torching of villages.