8 women hurt in Army assault
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, January 14 2024:
At least eight women were grievously hurt when Army personnel brutally assaulted them at Sabungkhok Khunou today.
While the injured were first rushed to Yaingangpokpi PHC for first aid and treatment, some seriously hurt have been referred to JNIMS and other hospitals in Imphal for further treatment.
The women were brutally assaulted by the 20 Jat Regiment personnel after a commotion broke out between them.
The womenfolk of the area were reportedly agitated by the Kuki militants' attack yesterday night at Sabungkhok Khunou.
Asserting that the Central security forces did nothing to stop Kuki militants from attacking, the womenfolk were demanding removal of the force from Sabungkhok Khunou.
Kuki militants fired some rounds of bullets towards Sabungkhok Khunou yesterday night and afterwards village volunteers returned fire.
Meanwhile, the eight women suffered different degrees of injuries due to the assault by Army personnel today.
Laishram Mema (55), wife of Basant of Sanasabi was allegedly hit by a brick on her back.
She has injuries on her left shoulder.
Moirangthem Robita (49), wife of Sanjit Kumar of Sabungkhok Khunou received injuries on her hands, wrist and buttock.
S Shanti (44) of Sabungkhok suffers multiple contusions on both legs and buttock.
W Amita (53), wife of W Chaoba of Sabungkhok received injuries on her feet.
Sapana (40), wife of Nando of Yaingangpokpi has injuries on her back.
Th Malemnganbi (29) of Thamnapokpi suffers contusion on her left thigh.
L Sundari (46), wife of Borajaoba of Sanjenbam Khunou was injured on her fingers.
Chaningkhombi (28), daughter of Rakesh of Sabungkhok received injuries on her feet.
According to villagers, Kuki militants fired towards Sabungkhok at around 7 pm yesterday.
The locals fled from their homes to safer places.
Even though the gunfight ceased, people spent the night outside in the cold fearing another attack in the night, said a villager.
The villagers claimed the presence of Central security forces at Sabungkhok Khunou brick field has "emboldened" the Kuki militants.
"When there were no Central security forces in the area, Kuki militants fired at us from very far off high places.
Now, in the presence of the Central security forces, the Kuki militants have come closer.
Now they are firing at us from a close range," the villagers said.
A villager whose son was captured and killed by Kuki militants in the present conflict said the Kuki militants fired at civilians in Sabungkhok Khunou from a place very close to the place where the Central security forces are stationed.
The villagers said the Central security forces stationed in the area have not been able to deter the Kuki militants from firing and causing chaos in Sabungkhok Khunou.
"As the Central security forces are unable to stop the Kuki militants from attacking us, people of Sabungkhok Khunou and adjoining areas have lost faith in them.
The security forces who do not enjoy the trust of the people shouldn't be deployed here.
They are ineffective," said another villager.
Some also asserted that the Central security forces have proven their "ineffectiveness" many times.
"The four persons including a father and son from Haotak were killed in a place not far from a post of the Maha Regiment.
It proved that the security forces have remained mute spectators to Kuki militants' attacks," said the villagers.
The villagers said they want the Government to remove the Central security personnel from Sabungkhok Khunou immediately and replace them with State forces.
Meanwhile, womenfolk have reportedly come out on the street demanding removal of the Central security forces.