One killed in renewed attack by Kuki militants
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, December 30 2023: In a stark contradiction to the repeated claims of Chief Minister N Biren Singh that peace and normalcy have slowly started returning in the State, Kuki militants and their supporters renewed their offensive against Meitei villages and killed one village volunteer in the wee hours at Kadangband Part II, Imphal West today.

The deceased village volunteer has been identified as Ningombam Jamesbond alias Nanao (33) s/o Rameshwar of Mayang Langjing.

Rameshwar, father of the martyred village volunteer is stated to be an Assistant Sub Inspector of Manipur Police, presently posted at Sekmai police station, Imphal West.

Even though the dead body has been deposited at JNIMS morgue for post mortem, aggrieved Meira Paibis who gathered at the morgue adopted a decision not to claim the body until the State Government comes out with a clear stand on the Kuki aggression.

At one time, Ningombam Jamesbond worked as a sports journalist at the Naharol Gi Thoudang vernacular daily.

Ningombam Jamesbond and some other village volunteers were on duty, guarding the village when Kuki militants armed with sophisticated weapons attacked their position from the nearby hill range.

One of the bullets fired by the Kuki militants hit Jamesbond on the thigh but he could not be evacuated in time as Kuki militants took position on the hill range and fired incessantly toward the Meitei village volunteers.

Nonetheless, the village volunteers retaliated and pushed back the Kuki militants.

Then Jamesbond was evacuated from the spot and taken to JNIMS Hospital.

But Jamesbond succumbed to the bullet injury at JNIMS after sometime.

It was suspected that the village volunteer died due to excessive bleeding.

Later in the evening at around 4 pm, Kuki militants fired two bombs followed by indiscriminate firing toward Kadangband Part II area.

The village volunteers retaliated using licensed guns.

There was no report of injury this time.

On the other hand, speaking to media persons at JNIMS morgue today morning, one Meira Paibi of Kadangband said that the State Government must take responsibility for the death of Jamesbond for it was caused by the Government's failure to protect Meitei civilians from the relentless attack of Kuki militants and their supporters.

She said that Kuki militants have been attacking Meitei villages incessantly despite deployment of Central forces including Assam Rifles in the area.

"Following the Government's abject failure to protect Meitei civilians, many youths came out voluntarily to guard and protect our land.

Ningombam Jamesbond was one of the village volunteers from five Gram Panchayats of Kadangband who were guarding their village since the beginning of the Kuki aggression", she said.

Locals of Kadangband and Mayang Langjing held a meeting at Mayang Langjing community hall today.

The meeting resolved to constitute a Joint Action Committee (JAC) in connection with the killing of Ningombam Jamesbond by Kuki terrorists.

The meeting also resolved not to claim the mortal remains of Jamesbond until the State Government gives a concrete assurance to stop Kuki terrorists from attacking Meitei villages.

The third resolution says that the next course of action would be decided at a joint meeting with civil society organisations and Meira Paibi organisations.

The JAC has also convened a public meeting at 11 am on December 31 at Mayang Langjing community hall.

It has also invited all civil society organisations, student bodies, political parties, Meira Paibi organisations and local clubs to the meeting.

Meanwhile, the All Manipur United Clubs Organisation (AMUCO) and the Rural United Clubs' Organisation (RUCO) have condoled the demise of Ningombam Jamesbond.

Jamesbond served as an active member of RUCO for a long time.

Notably, RUCO is affiliated to AMUCO.

Members of AMUCO and RUCO paid homage to the martyr by observing two-minute silence.

They also conveyed solidarity to the bereaved family and assured support to the decisions adopted by the JAC.

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