One killed as Kuki militants rain bullets at Meitei villages
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, July 10 2023:
Even as Kuki militants continued to attack Meitei settlements in several areas on the foothills, one Meitei village volunteer has been killed in an intense gunfight at an area near Kadangband and Geljang today.
The Meitei village volunteer gunned down by Kuki militants has been identified as Saikhom Sandipkumar alias Subon (28), son of Saikhom Rocket of Uripok Achom Leikai.
Though unconfirmed, reliable sources said at least two Kuki militants were also killed in the gunbattle.
Several village volunteers who witnessed the gunfight said Kuki militants started raining bombs and bullets at Kandangband and Kang-chup areas from Geljang side at around 7 pm yesterday.
Following the attack, .State security forces from Kadangband Part-I and Kangchup, and village volunteers rushed to the area and returned fire.
The intense gunbattle that ensued lasted till 5 today morning and after a lull for some time, the gunfight resumed at around 6.30 am till 10 am.
In a bid to drive the Kuki militants away from the area to thwart future attacks, they chased the militants towards a cemetery at Geljang, where Saikhom Sandipkumar was struck by bullets fired by the militants and killed on the spot.
The village volunteers continued that they found bunkers and pipe bomb traps near the cemetery.
Eevn though, they couldn't destroy the bunkers, they came across two lifeless bodies of Kuki militants, they said.
Security forces and village volunteers recovered the body of Saikhom Sandipkumar from the area near the cemetery and brought to Kadangband Part-I, where a large number of people including family members were waiting.
The people paid their respect to the "martyr" and paid floral tributes.
Meanwhile, reports said gunfight resumed again at the same area at around 4 pm.
On the other hand, Kuki militants launched an attack at Meitei settlement at Sabungkhok Khunou under Yaingangpokpi police station yesterday at around 8.30 pm, damaging one house in the area.
ITie house belongs to Wangkhem Opendro, son of W Manglem.
Kuki militants on several occasions have fired at the settlement since the past few days, said locals who have urged the Government to control the Kuki militants.
Meanwhile, Kuki militants continued to attack Khoijumantabi, where they killed three village volunteers on the intervening night of July 1 and 2 .
Kuki militants fired at the security personnel and village volunteers at around 11.40 am, said reports.