Water pipelines destroyed
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, June 07 2023: In yet another dastardly offensive, Kuki militants sabotaged a pipeline that supplies drinking water to several valley villages including Khurkhul, Kanto Sabal and neighbours.

Khurkhul Gram Panchayat Pradhan Irungbam Shanta said Kuki militants damaged and destroyed water pipes at Khunkhu Kuki village area where there is a water supply scheme that supplies water to the Meitei villages.

With the pipes damaged, water supply has been cut off to Khurkhul, Kanto Sabal and neighbouring Meitei villages.

Now, the people of the villages are facing drinking water shortage, he added.

This act of sabotage was carried out by the Kuki militants amid apprehension and fear of the villages in the area that they may come under attack further, the Pradhan said.

The Pradhan stressed that with the water supply cut off, relief camps in the surrounding area are also facing shortage of water.

Usham Pishak, a woman from Ingourok Chingmang who is now taking shelter at a relief camp opened at Khurkhul Leirijao Upper Primary School, said Kuki militants had burnt down more than 20 houses in her village.

As Kuki militants attacked and fired at the village, they had to flee for their lives.

She along with others at the relief camps are under constant fear that they may be attacked again, she added.

Wangkhem Yaimabi, another woman at Kanto Sabal Relief Camp, said when the violence first broke out at Churachandpur, the leaders of Ingourok Chingmang and heads of nearby Kuki villages had arrived at a mutual understanding that they would not attack the other.

Days after such an agreement was reached between them, the Kuki militants suddenly attacked by firing guns at Ingourok Chingmang.

The attack was carried out in the presence of the Assam Rifles.

The AR remained spectators and did not intervene, she said.

Yaimabi added that the Assam Rifles remained as mute spectators even when Manipur Police, Commandos and IRB personnel were retaliating.

She continued that she and the villagers will never be able to trust the Assam Rifles and put their faith in them.

Even though her house was set ablaze and reduced to ashes by the Kuki militants, Yaimabi said she wants to return to her village after the conflict ends.

Meanwhile, the Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity visited the relief camps and provided relief materials and held a meeting with the displaced people.

During the meeting, COCOMI's assistant coordinator Joychandra Konthoujam said the committee has informed the Centre and the State Government about the atrocities being committed by the Kuki militants against Meitei people.

Considering the continued attacks and developing situation, he stated that it is time for all the people to come together and face the Kuki militants who are killing civilians and burning their houses.

The combing operation to recover arms should be conducted in both the hills and the valley.

Conducting the operation to recover arms in the valley only when Kuki militants are continuously attacking Meitei villages and killing civilians will render the Meiteis defenceless, he added.

Joychandra stressed that the people and the COCOMI are against all attempts to form a separate administration for the Chin-Kuki people in Manipur.

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