Imphal, December 11: In a bid to advance into the MPA base at Khengjoi area, security forces launched an intense offensive using heavy artillery and mortars since the beginning of this month but were defeated on several counts by the valiant MPA cadres.

Unable to face the MPA cadres directly, the security forces have been firing innumerable rounds of heavy artillery and mortars on civilian areas forcing the villagers to flee their homesteads, claimed a statement issued by the Senior Publicity Officer of UNLF Ksh Yoiheiba.

The statement reiterated that two security personnel have been killed while more than four personnel suffered injuries in two incidents of gun fight on December 6 and 9 at Shihao village and Wailou village.

Stating that more than 500 villagers belonging to the surrounding areas of Khengjoi area are currently taking shelter at Molcham following indiscriminate firing of mortars by security force at these villages, the outfit claimed that the villagers are bearing the brunt of the offensive together with MPA cadres.

The MPA cadres are also sharing clothes and food with the displaced villagers.

The outfit asserted that such indiscriminate firing of heavy artillery on civilian areas was only a manifestation of the discriminatory policy pursued by the security force to exterminate the entire population of the State.

UNLF/MPA also seeks help from the civil organisations, NGOs and the people of the State for the villagers of Khengjoi, Dingpi and other border areas bearing the brunt of the excesses of Indian army/AR, said the statement.

The outfit further appealed to the people to understand the plight of the displaced villagers during the winter season.

Moreover, the outfit urged the human rights groups to draw the attention of international bodies like the ICRC to help the villagers.

At such a juncture, the people of the State need to face the atrocities of security forces collectively and to stand united in hard times, observed UNLF/MPA while informing that several battles are being fought at present in different directions.

Comment