Village volunteer killed, cop hurt in Kuki attacks
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, December 30 2023:
A village volunteer was killed after armed Kukis launched an attack on a Meetei village in Kadangband area of Imphal West district while a police commando suffered injuries in an ambush laid by suspected Kuki militants near Moreh town on Saturday.
In Kadangband, a scuffle broke out between security forces and the people after the latter attempted to move towards the incident side but was prevented by the forces.
The deceased village volunteer has been identified Ningombam James alias Nanao (31) s/o Nandakeshore of Mayang Langjing Tanning Mayai Leikai.
According to a police report, the incident occurred around 3.30 am Saturday at Kadangband Part-2 under Lamsang police station.
Due to frequent attacks by armed Kukis in the area, village volunteers had set up bunkers on the side of the Meetei village and guarding the area on roster basis.
On Friday night, around 4-5 village volunteers were on duty at one of the bunkers when heavily armed Kukis attacked the bunker around 3.30 am Saturday.
James, who was one of the volunteers on duty, suffered two gunshot wounds on the leg.
Despite hearing sounds of gunfire and receiving news that James had been injured, the Meira Paibis and other volunteers in the village could not launch an immediate rescue or assist the volunteers under attack as the bunker was located atop the hill and also because of darkness.
After the day broke, the other volunteers in the bunker brought down James.
A profusely bleeding James was immediately taken to JNIMS hospital but declared brought dead by the doctor.
After learning about the attack, a large crowd including village volunteers from various areas of the valley moved towards the incident and took positions to prevent further attacks by armed Kukis.
On top of this, a large number of Meira Paibi descended on the location.
State and central forces also moved in and took up security measures.
Both security forces and the village volunteers worked together till late evening to prevent any unwanted incidents, the report conveyed.
Meanwhile, a Joint Action Committee against the killing of James has announced that his body which is currently lying at the mortuary of the JNIMS would not be claimed until the government authority makes a positive response concerning the frequent attacks made by the armed men in the inter district area.
In the other attack carried out by suspected Kuki militants near Moreh Forest Gate under Tengnoupal district on Saturday evening, the attackers targeted bulletproof vehicles of police commandos with bombs.
According to a police source, well-armed Kuki militants triggered two lEDs simultaneously when a team of special commando reached Tower Makhong in Moreh Ward No 7 close to M Chanou village at about 4pm Saturday.
A commando named G Ponkhamlung got splinter injury in the IED blast.
Ponkhamlung (Rfn no 15007660) belongs to 5 IRB but is attached to special commando unit.
He was rushed to KLP (Key Location Point) of 5 Assam Rifles initially and then shifted to RIMS hospital.
After the blast, police reinforcement from Moreh rushed to M Chanou village where the incident happened and engaged in fierce firefight with Kuki militants till late evening.
However, there is been no report of casualty on either side till the time of filing this report.
Saturday's incident is the first major attack by Kuki militants after the October 31 attack in which a Sub-Divisional Police Officer Chingtham Anandkumar of Moreh police station lost his life.