8 cadres feared killed in internecine gunhghts
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, July 04 2023:
At-least eight persons have reportedly been killed in a gun battle between two Kuki militant groups on Tuesday at Tuiringphaisen village under Churachandpur district.
The incident came close on the heels of the decision to lift the 60-day blockade along Imphal-Dimapur road (NH 2) by the armed United People's Front (UPF) and Kuki National Organisation (KNG) on Monday.
Unidentified miscreants had also torched the house of KNO spokesperson Seilen Haokip on Monday night in what is suspected to be fallout of the decision.
According to sources, the gunfight between heavily armed members of Kuki National Army (KNA) and Zomi Revolutionaiy Army (ZRA) occurred at Tuiringphaisen village which is around 4 km from Sangaikot police station in Churachandpur district.
It is said that 8 cadres of ZRA lost their lives in the shootout.
It may be mentioned that there was a clash between Kuki and Paite tribes in 1997-98 wherein hundreds of people were killed, thousands of homes destroyed and over 10,000 people displaced.