Kuki terrorists target farmers; 1 killed, 7 hurt
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal/Moirang, August 29 2023: One village volunteer has been killed while seven other Meitei civilians sustained injuries when Kuki militants, armed with sophisticated weapons, launched a fresh offensive at Naranseina Maning Leikai, next to the 2nd India Reserve Battalion under Bishnupur district.

On the other hand, one Jangminlen Gangte s/o Mangkholen Gangte of Songdo village, presently staying in a circuit house relief camp at Churachandpur was killed in a blast after he mishandled a bomb this morning.

Two farmers of Naranseina were going to Naranseina Maning Leikai paddy fields near Nepra Lampak High Canal this morning to spray pesticide in their paddy fields when they came under heavy attack from Kuki terrorists.

Kuki terrorists target farmers; 1 killed, 7 hurt

In the attack, Salam Jotin (38) s/o Ibotomba of Naranseina ward number 8 sustained bullet injury.

A bullet suspected to have been fired from a sniper gun went through his left chest.

Though grievously injured, Jotin somehow managed to reach 2nd India Reserve Battalion complex with the help of his colleague Meisnam Sunil despite heavy firing by Kuki terrorists from the nearby hill range.

After reaching the IRB complex, Jotin was evacuated to District Hospital, Bishnupur.

Later he was shifted to Raj Medicity.

Jotin's condition is said to be stable.

Meisnam Sunil said that he was spraying pesticide at the paddy field while Jotin was standing on a field partition (Louri) .

Suddenly, some Kuki terrorists who laid an ambush some 50 metres away fired 7/8 rounds at around 6.30 am and one of the bullets hit Jotin.

Immediately, Sunil ducked behind a field partition and from there he could see 5/6 Kuki terrorists moving away.

After the Kuki militants had gone, Sunil evacuated Jotin.

Soon after the incident, a large number of womenfolk from different directions tried to march up to the incident site demanding removal of Sikh Regiment stationed in the high canal area.

The large number of womenfolk alleged that the Sikh Regiment failed to protect innocent villagers and farmers and questioned how the Kuki terrorists managed to intrude into the high canal area in spite of their presence (Sikh Regiment) after crossing the buffer zone.

The situation got worse when one of the security personnel pointed his gun toward the womenfolk and threatened to fire, constraining the State police and village volunteers to take position in case any unwanted incident breaks out.

The womenfolk somehow managed to bring the situation under control.

Later at around 10 am, Kuki terrorists again fired several rounds of bullets toward the Meitei villages of Naranseina Maning and surrounding areas from Khoirentak hill range.

One village volunteer sustained bullet injury on his left thigh and he was evacuated to Imphal for treatment.

He is presently undergoing treatment at Shija Hospital.

Soon after, village volunteers and State security forces launched retaliatory fire.

At around noon, two more village volunteers sustained injuries on their legs and both of them were evacuated to Raj Medicity.

One of them sustained bullet injury on his left leg and another on his right leg (knee cap) .

Both of them were taken inside the operation theatre at the time this report was filed.

Three other village volunteers also sustained injuries.

Later in the evening, one village volunteer was hit by a bullet on the head.

Even though he was rushed to Raj Medicity for treatment, the doctor on duty declared him brought dead.

The deceased has been identified as one Laibujam Inao (27) of Takhel Makha Leikai.

Heavy gunfight was still on till the time of filing this report.

A similar gun battle was also raging on at the neighbouring village of Thamnapokpi.

It is suspected that Kuki terrorists too sustained some casualties.