Villagers rally against gunfight
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, March 12 2024:
Taking strong exception to the gunfight that took place between NSCN (IM) and ZUF (Jenchui Kamei) at Tokpa Kabui village of Leimatak area under Loktak police station on Monday afternoon, local people of the area took out a protest rally last night.
While NSCN (IM) is under a ceasefire agreement with the Government of India, ZUF (Jenchui Kamei) has also signed a Cessation of Operation agreement with both the Government of India and the Government of Manipur.
But cadres of the two outfits were engaged in an intense gun battle in Tokpa Kabui Khul area yesterday afternoon, sources informed.
One NSCN (IM) cadre reportedly sustained injuries in the gun battle which broke out at around 1 pm and went on till 2.30 pm.
The gun battle also created a panicky situation among the villages of Tokpa Kabui Khul and they took out a protest rally in the evening.
The villagers expressed strong resentment against both NSCN (IM) and ZUF (Jenchui Kamei) for completely disregarding the appeals made earlier by CSOs and village leaders.
The protesters shouted slogans like, "We want peace", "NSCN-IM and ZUF (Jenchui Kamei) must not engage in any further violent confrontation" .