Kuki composer among seven casualties in clashes
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, August 31 2023: Popular Kuki-Zo song composer and lyricist LS Mangboi was among five persons killed so far in the continuing gun-battle in the adjoining areas of Churachandpur and Bishnupur districts while two persons lost their lives in exchange of fire in areas under Moirang police station on Thursday.

As per sources, fierce gun-battles are continuing at Khoirentak, Lonphai, Chingphei and Khousabung foothill areas bordering Churachandpur and Bishnupur districts since August 29.Manipur Police Control Room, however, clarified that gunfights broke out in only two of the said locations.

LS Mangboi (50) suffered severe splinter wounds on his head during the gun-battle on Wednesday and succumbed to injuries on the way to Guwahati via Mizoram at Songtal village on Thursday.

One more injured person named Richard Hemkholun Guite succumbed to splinter injury sustained Wednesday at about 9.10 am Thursday at Churachandpur district hospital.

Both LS Mangboi and Richard Hemkholun suffered splinter injuries during gun-battle at Khoirentak on Wednesday.

Meanwhile, fierce gun-battle between two sides resumed early Thursday morning.

Though there was no casualty in the morning, one Paukam Kipgen of Koite village was hit by a bullet at about 4 pm Thursday and later succumbed to injury.

Again at about 6pm Thursday, one village volunteer from Kangvai village named Pausondam was hit by splinter and died while seven more volunteers got injured during fierce gun-battles at Khousabung and L Phainom village on Thursday.

The injured volunteers are identified as Khamthang (37), son of Khupkhosei of Molnom village, Lunkhohao (53), son of late Paokham of Tuingamjang village, Thangliensang (35), son of late Lunkholet of Molnom village, Gouminlen (12), son of Paotinlal of Nahlon village, Muanthang (52) of Kangvai village, Pausawndam (35) of Kangvai village, and Lamminlal (36) of Kangvai village.

So far, five village volunteers have been killed in the continuing gun-battle since Monday including one Jangminlun Gangte who died on Tuesday due to bomb mishandling.

In Bishnupur district, at least two village volunteers were killed and many others injured in armed attack by Kuki militants and subsequent exchange of fire in western side of Thamnapokpi and Ngangkhalawai under Moirang police station on Thursday.

The incident began around 5 am on Thursday when the Kuki militants from the nearby hills launched attack using bombs and assault rifles on the IRB post located on the western side of Naransena.

Village volunteers and state forces also retaliated resulting in heavy exchange of fire.

The Kuki militants fired bombs and assault rifles from their bunkers set up in S Phainom, Khousabung and Kangathei village areas.

The two village volunteers who were killed in the incident have been identified as Moirangthem Ratan (27) of Yourabung under Lamlai police station and Pebam Deban (52) son of late Ibochou of Thamnapokpi Makha Leikai Ward No 5.Ratan suffered gunshot wounds and died on the way to hospital.

On the other hand, Deban was hit by bomb splinters and died on the spot.

Several other village volunteers also injured in the gunfight were evacuated to hospitals but their details are awaited.

Source said that some Kuki militants hiding near a church at Kangathei village were either killed or injured in the incident.

At around 2 pm, more Kuki militants along with sophisticated weapons and grenade launchers arrived in the site and intensified their assault.

Large number of men and women civilians also rushed to the area but village volunteers convinced them to stay put in safer location.

Meanwhile, some unidentified persons took the bodies before reaching RIMS mortuary and took them at Singjamei Thongkhong where members of Thawai Mirel have been carrying out indefinite hunger strike as the public converged to pay floral tributes to the two.

Police team led by IGP Zone-I, DIG, SPs of Imphal East and Imphal West district rushed to the spot around 7.30 pm and tried to take away the bodies resulting in a tussle between police and public.

Police resorted to firing tear gas shells to disperse the crowd.

Taking advantage of the melee, some persons whisked away the bodies following which police launched a manhunt.

The bodies were recovered from Kongba Ucheckon Chongabi Loukol at around 10 pm .

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