Farmer among five injured in Kuki firing, bombing
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, November 11 2024: Thamnapokpi village under Yaingangpokpi police station continues to face attacks from armed Kuki militants, with the latest offensive resulting in bullet wounds to a farmer on Monday.

A Tangkhul farmer working in a paddy field at Shanti Khongbal was injured in an attack by suspected armed Kukis on Monday morning.

The farmer has been identified as Kanshok Horam (35) s/o (L) Peter of New Canaan village.

He suffered pellet wounds on both arms and legs and has been admitted to JNIMS hospital.

Since 10 pm of November 9, suspected Kuki militants have been raining bullets on Sanasabi, Thamnapokpi and Shanti Khongbal areas relentlessly.

Around 10 am Sunday, armed Kukis launched attacks in Thamnapokpi area from Thamnapokpi Uyokching and continued firing sporadically.

On the third day of continuous onslaughts, around 9 am Monday, the armed Kukis fired several rounds from close range in Shanti Khongbal area, injuring farmer Kanshok Horam, who belong to Tangkhul community.

He was first rushed to Yaingangpokpi PHC and later referred to JNIMS hospital for further treatment.

At the time of the attack, around 11 farmers including Kanshok were working in the paddy field.

As the firing began, all dispersed to different directions for cover.

Kanshok also fled from the spot along with two other farmworkers.

On hearing sounds of the firing, a team of BSF and state forces arrived at the scene and evacuated the farmers to safer location.

Speaking to the media at JNIMS Hospital, Kanshok Horam recounted that around 11 farmers (nine Tangkhuls and two Nepalese) left home around 7 am Monday to work in the paddy field at Yaingangpokpi-Shantipur Loukol (Yaingangpokpi Uyok Ching Khong).

He said that they were about to thresh the paddy crops, when they heard gun shots from the direction of P Phaimol village (sangran).

He sustained the pellet wounds at the time but still fled the location with two of his friends, while the remaining farmers ducked for cover.

On the other hand, armed Kukis launched another attack at areas of Thamnapokpi and Shantipur Loukol later in the evening.

A similar attack was also reported in Chanung around 9.20 pm Monday.

While expressing concern over frequent attacks by Kuki militants, Lamlai Kendra Village Volunteer Force co-convenor Oinam Okensana disclosed that despite requests to the local MLA and Imphal East SP for security arrangements atop the hills between Imphal East and Kangpokpu district to deter such attacks, no action has been taken up till date.

Locals further contended that, amid the attacks on Monday, central forces idled their Casspir armoured vehicle in the middle of the road and threatened the civilians, instead of returning fire.

Meanwhile, a village volunteer was injured following an attack by armed Kuki militants on Litanpokpi Meetei village in Bishnupur district around 5 am on Monday.

According to police reports, the militants attacked the Meetei village from the Dampi Reserve Forest area early on Monday morning.

Upon learning about the attack, Meetei village volunteers and state forces rushed to the scene and engaged the militants in a gun battle during which a village volunteer was hit on the waist and brought to a hospital in Imphal.

The Dampi Reserve Forest, from where the attack originated, is primarily inhabited by Kukis, while the Meetei people live in the foothills surrounding the forest.

The Kuki militants have been carrying out a series of attacks from this area since the conflict began.

Following Monday s attack, many Meetei villagers in the area fled to safer locations.

The villagers have called on the authorities to take measures to prevent such attacks in the future.

It may be mentioned that one Sophiya w/o Dayananda of Saiton Gram Panchayat Ward number 6 in Bishnupur district, was shot and killed by Kuki militants while working in her field on Saturday.

Three persons including two Village Defence Force (VDF) personnel were also injured as suspected Kuki militants carried out synchronized attacks in Kangchup, Singda Kadangband Part 1 and Koutruk areas in Imphal West district on Monday evening.

According to reports, armed Kukis rained bullets and bombs at Kangchup, Singda Kadangband Part 1 and Koutruk around 7.30pm Monday, forcing the villagers to flee to safer places.

Later, additional state forces arrived and returned fire.

However, the armed Kukis continued the attacks late into the night, firing bombs and local made rockets.

One of the rockets landed at Phumlou Mamang Leikai, sparking mass fear and panic, as Phayeng, Lairenkabi, Lairensajik, Phumlou and Kadangband residents fled to safer areas.

Of the three injured, two VDF personnel were hit by bomb shrapnel and bullets in the attack at Kangchup.

They have been identified as Phuritsabam Devananda and Ningombam Romesh.

They are currently undergoing treatment at RIMS hospital.

On the other hand, several houses in Kangchup were also torched later in the night by armed Kukis, as per a report.

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