Two killed, seven hurt in gunfight at Senjam Chirang
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, June 29 2023: At least two volunteers guarding Meitei villages near Leimakhong were killed and seven others injured in an attack by suspected Kuki militants on early Thursday morning.

The two deceased volunteers have been identified as Waikhom Nilachandra alias Boicha (40) s/o Boiyai of Kongpal Khaidem Leikai and Konsam Herojit Meetei (38) s/o Santrok alias Joy of Senjam Khunou Mamang Leikai.

Five of the injured are being treated at Raj Medicity and one at Shija Hospitals.

As per reports, Kuki militants launched attacks using sophisticated weapons and bombs on Meitei villages from the direction of Nelon Vaiphei (Nungyung-bi), Sangshang, Mulai and Haraothel villages which are on the western end of Senjam Chirang at irregular intervals from 5am Thursday till late evening.

The village volunteers also retaliated at the Kuki militants with gun fire.

Amid the heavy gunfight, villagers witnessed the Assam Rifles' helicopter circling overhead, seemingly to identify the location and monitor movement of the villagers.

As the gunfire began, children, women and elderly were shifted to safer locations by the youngsters, who then stayed back in the villages to defend against the Kuki militants.

Around the same time when Senjam Chirang was under attack, Kuki militants also fired several rounds at Khurkhul Maning village.

The reports stated that Kuki militants from the direction of Nelon Vaiphei (Nungyungbi), Sangshang, Mulai and Haraothel villages began firing at the villagers who had gone down to farm at the paddy fields near the foothills of Chirang and Khurkhul Maning.

The relentless gun and bomb attacks by the Kuki militants led to the death of two people, namely Waikhom Nilachandra and Konsam Herojit Meetei and injured three others.

Nilachandra's body fell into a nearby gorge and could not be retrieved for a long time due to the heavy firing from Kuki militants.

Later, security forces along with large number of womenfolk went to the location in the evening and managed to recover his body.

As Kuki militants continued firing rounds and hurling bombs from Haraothel, four more volunteers were injured.

The gun exchange continued late into the evening.

On the other hand, Mei-ra Paibis managed to snatch a villager from Kanto Sabal who had been picked up by army personnel stationed at Leimakhong.

Amid the scuffle, army personnel launched crackdown on the womenfolk, injuring around 10, a report conveyed.

Meanwhile, in a tweet, local army said "unconfirmed reports" indicated some casualties in the incident as official sources said one body had been recovered from the area and a few others could be seen lying on the ground.

Giving details, the official Twitter handle of the army, operating in the region, said armed rioters opened unprovoked firing at 5.30 am.

"Own troops deployed in the area immediately mobilised to prevent escalation of situation.

While enroute to the site, own columns drew effective fire from armed rioters," the official "Spear Corps" handle of 'the army said.

It said the troops "responded in a calibrated manner to prevent any collateral damage.

Swift action by troops resulted in cessation of firing.

"Additional columns moved to the area.

Unconfirmed reports indicate some casualties.

Build up of large crowds in the area also reported.

Situation being closely monitored and further details will follow, " it said.

The area is located around 20 km from capital city of Imphal.

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