Milk of human kindness still flows amid madness !
Kuki villagers safely 'release' Meitei men
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, June 12 2023: Showing that the milk of human kindness still flows amidst the incessant violence in the State, two Meitei men were set free by Kuki people after being detained for a period in Saivom area along the Imphal-Moreh road today.

The two men are Khwairakpam Sashikumar (40) alias Tomba from Sagolband Moirang Leirak Akham Lampak and O Kumar (58) from Thoubal Leishangthem.

Recounting the experience, Khwairakpam Sashikumar shared that around 5 am today he went to visit his friend O Kumar at Thoubal Leishangthem on a two-wheeler.

After a brief meeting, the two decided to make their way to Kakching on the moped.

On the way, they decided to drive up to Pallel.

Upon reaching Pallel, they saw that the traffic volume along the highway was very low with barely any vehicles driving by.

Thus, the two once again decided to drive further out to Tengnoupal, allegedly forgetting about the ongoing conflict, according to Sashikumar.

Kuki villagers safely 'release' Meitei men

After reaching Tengnoupal, they obtained a pass from the Tengnoupal Assam Rifles check post and continued to drive further.

However, beyond this point they found heavy fog obstructing their vision and fearing getting lost, the two made their way back.

On the return journey, the duo were stopped by a group of Kuki people at a waiting shed.

After being questioned briefly, the two were then hauled into a Gypsy and transported to a nearby village.

Khwairakpam Sashikumar strongly believes that they were taken to Saivom village.

At the village, some Kuki people including their elders asked them various questions to allay their suspicions.

Their mobile phones were also thoroughly checked.

After their doubts were put to rest, the two men were let go with some words of advice.

"Just as we set you free because you are innocent civilians, make sure to extend that kindness to innocent Kuki civilians too.

Everyone who has died are poor civilians.

Please help Kuki people in the valley", the Kuki elders told the two, according to Khwairakpam Sashikumar.

Following this, they dropped the two off at Pallel.

Some of them also drove their moped up to Pallel.

At Pallel, Khwairakpam Sashikumar and O Kumar met with KSO Tengnoupal District, Peace Committee Pallel, Molnoi Area Welfare Committee Tengnoupal District, CSOs in Pallel area, SP Kakching, OC Pallel police station and personnel of 21 Assam Rifles and subsequently headed towards Imphal.

Speaking of the incident, Khwairakpam Sashikumar said that the Kuki people treated them with humanity and thus he expressed gratitude towards them for their kindness.