3 more villages burnt in Khamenlok area
Source: The Sangai Express
Kangpokpi, June 13 2023:
After H Khopibung Kuki village was attacked and burnt down yesterday, Khamenlok Kuki village and two other villages were reportedly attacked this evening at around 5.10 and burnt.
Khamenlok Kuki village situated next to H Khopibung has around 25 households.
After a few hours of firing, Khamenlok, Aigejang, and Chullouphai villages belonging to the Kuki community were burnt down allegedly by militants, today.
Meanwhile, chief of H Khopibung village, Thangminlal Chongloi (40), son of (L) Paosei Chongloi refuted the alleged false and misleading report published by various media houses today in connection with the attack at H Khopibung Kuki village.
He claimed that on Monday at around 5 am, the village volunteers saw a group of militants moving up the hilltops from Uyumpok and they started attacking the village at around 8 am which resulted in a fierce day-long gun battle with the village volunteers.
He claimed that the militants also exchanged fire with the Gorkha Regiment.
The village chief claimed that the militants used sophisticated weapons including bombs in the attack.
After an exhaustive day-long gun battle, a huge mob numbering around 2000 entered the village and torched all the houses and properties, he alleged.
He said that the villagers have fled to the Saikul area following the attack.
He further claimed that four volunteers sustained bullet injuries during the gunfight and they have been identified as Lunginthang Khongthang (26), son of Tholet Khongthang of Dongsum village; Sesem Kipgen (27), son of Hemang Kipgen of Keithelmanbi village; Haoboi Karoung (22), son of Seilenthang Karoung, and Seiminlal Khongsai (29), son of Lamseh Khongsai, both from Khamenlok village.
The injured persons are reportedly out of danger.
Refuting the alleged misleading report of the incident, Thangminlal Chongloi asked how the media houses could boldly publish such 'misleading reports' .
"It is very unethical of the media fraternity that they turned the attackers into victims, and the victims into the attackers", he added.
Meanwhile, the Committee on Tribals Unity (COTU) Sadar Hills condemned the constant attack on Kuki villages in Saikul Sub Division of Kangpokpi District since yesterday.
He sought immediate intervention of the Central Government to end the violence.