Mark hill bunkers destroyed; Kuki Inpi, village chiefs warned
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, March 01 2025: A day after gunfire from Kuki militants towards the Kongba Maru sacred shrine from atop Mark hill range, security forces on Saturday destroyed several bunkers on the hill and also summoned the chiefs of nearby villages.

In response to the disruption of prayer rituals at Kongba Maru, security forces summoned Kuki Inpi-Saikul leaders and village chiefs of Kuki villages in the vicinity, and served them a stern warning to refrain from causing further disturbances.

Following the incident that occurred on Friday while devotees were engaged in prayer and rituals at the Kongba Maru sacred shrine, a survey of the surrounding area was conducted on Saturday morning, revealing numerous illegally constructed bunkers atop the Mark hill range.

A combined team of the Kangpokpi district police and the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) subsequently destroyed these bunkers in the morning.

Notably, Mark hill and Wakan hill ranges are around 700 metre from Kongba Maru sacred shrine and many bunkers were found constructed around 500 metre on the northern side of the sacred shrine of the Meeteis.

Wakan hill range falls under the operational jurisdiction of the Assam Rifles and the Kukis constructed many bunkers within 1.5 km range from the 16 AR post.

A combined team of Kangpokpi district police and CRPF destroyed bunkers atop Mark hill range on Saturday but many bunkers on Wakan hill range and on the northern side of Kongba Maru shrine still remain intact.

Meanwhile, security forces on Saturday summoned chiefs of Kuki villages located nearby Wakan hill range and representatives of Kuki Inpi Saikul and warned them of initiating strict action if any firing incident happens in the area.

A police source informed that security measures in the area have been beefed up with intensified combing operation and area domination patrolling along both Mark hill and Wakan hill ranges to identify and book those responsible for the Friday firing.

Security forces deployed in the area have also been instructed to keep strict vigil and to report any unwanted incident immediately.

On the other hand, Kongba Maru Semgat Lup secretary Rajen Angujam said that the firing at Kongba Maru sacred shrine on Friday was the first occurrence after nearly two months, and the firing started when devotees were preparing to offer prayer.

He reported to hearing at least 7/8 rounds of gunfire but security forces accompanying the devotees did not retaliate.

Following the incident, women gathered at Yumnam Khunnou and nearby areas blocked the road protesting the firing.

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