Kuki women abetting militancy on highway ?
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, July 12 2024: Certain quarters have expressed strong suspicion about Kuki women abetting Kuki militants in the latter's criminal activities on Imphal-Jiribam highway.

Amidst the growing suspicion of Kuki militants openly supporting criminal activities committed by Kuki militants on Imphal-Jiribam highway, a large number of loaded POL and LPG tankers were stranded at Jiribam and Noney, unable to reach Imphal.

Some transporters engaged in transporting POL and LPG told The Sangai Express that a convoy of empty tankers which left Imphal on Monday with CRPF escorts could not cross Kotlen and returned to Imphal.

As the CRPF escorts could not cross Kotlen, loaded POL and LPG tankers which were waiting for security escorts at Noney and Jiribam could not make their way to Imphal, said the transporters.

Notably, just hours before Opposition (Lok Sabha) leader Rahul Gandhi arrived at Jiribam, Kuki militants rained bombs and bullets on Meitei villages and security forces stationed there.

When the security forces retaliated, the attack resulted in fierce fighting.

In the midst of the gun battle, Kuki militants burnt down a farmhouse and a security checkpost.

Soon after the exchange of fire ceased, security forces launched a search operation and nabbed two suspected Kuki militants.

This was followed by seizure of a large number of arms, ammunition and other combat materials by troops of 39 Assam Rifles.

In connection with a case taken up by NIA, a combined force of security forces moved to L Hengjol, a Kuki village in Kangpokpi district under New Keithelmanbi police station on July 9 .

Even as a large number of Kuki women tried to prevent the security forces from reaching L Hengjol village, the combined team somehow reached the village and carried out a search operation during which a large number of arms and ammunition including AK series rifles and other combat materials were recovered from the residence of village chief Tonghen Haokip.

Moreover, three Kuki militants were also apprehended.

According to the transporters, there was no movement of loaded POL and LPG tankers towards Imphal on Monday, the day Kuki militants attacked Meitei village and security forces at Jiribam.

In the aftermath of this attack which was followed by search operations, Kuki women reportedly decided to check movement of Meiteis on Imphal-Jiribam highway.

As a result, convoys of trucks could not cross Kotlen even though they were escorted by CRPF, said the transporters.

The State has already been reeling under inadequate supply of petrol and diesel, and the unfolding situation has further diminished fuel supply.

Nonetheless, a convoy of empty tankers left Imphal for Jiribam today with CRPF escorts.

On the other hand, the condition of Imphal-Jiribam highway is horribly bad.

As such, it is hard to say how many days the CRPF personnel would take to escort the empty tankers to Jiribam and bring back loaded tankers, currently stranded at Jiribam, to Imphal.

Meanwhile, loaded POL and LPG tankers which were stranded at Noney were brought to Imphal today by a security team, said the transporters.

Incidentally, a large number of trucks transporting fertilizers are also currently stranded at Jiribam.

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