Sunurok massacre toll rises to 4
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, October 31 2026: The death toll of the Sunurok massacre has risen to four after Sorokhaibam Ibomcha (58) succumbed to injuries at RIMS Hospital today.

Notably, three firewood collectors were killed and three others sustained grievous injuries in a deadly attack carried out by Kuki militants at Khongbal Sunurok Uyok Hill on October 19, 2026 .

Arubam Ronil and Lairenlakpam Inaobi, both residents of Nongshum were killed on the spot while Kshetrimayum Sushil of Uyumpok Mamang Leikai died in a hospital on the same day.

As the woodcutters came under fierce attack from the Kuki militants, they ran for their life but Sorokhaibam Ibomcha s/o late S Chandrasingh of Nongshum stumbled upon a tree stump and sustained injuries.

As his wounds did not appear to be serious or deep, he was not taken to any hospital.

Since October 19, Ibomcha was staying home, all the while complaining of abdominal pain but his health condition deteriorated alarmingly and he was taken to a private hospital at Imphal in the night of October 25 .

When the private hospital asked Ibomcha's family to deposit a certain amount for performing a surgical operation, the family could not deposit the demanded amount.

Subsequently Ibomcha was referred to RIMS .

Ibomcha succumbed to the injuries at around 10 am today, taking the death toll of Sunurok massacre to four.

Notably, Ibomcha's wife had expired and he is survived by a 15-year-old son and his 90-year old mother who can no longer see things properly.

The 15-year-old son is also said to be suffering from psychiatric problems.

Meanwhile the JAC formed against the Sunurok massacre has decided not to claim the body of Ibomcha yet.

Notably, the bodies of Arubam Ronil, Lairenlakpam Inaobi and Kshetrimayum Sushil have not been claimed yet.

Nongshum villagers earlier said that the woodcutters went to collect firewood with consent from the 35th Assam Rifles who are stationed just around 250 metres from the massacre site.

The villagers also lamented that there would not have been much casualty had the Assam Rifles intervened promptly.

On hearing the gun shots, some villagers ran to the Assam Rifles post to save the woodcutters but the AR personnel refused to extend any help by making all kinds of weird excuses like they had not received order, they were praying and they were putting on uniforms.

The villagers also made it clear that they had lost all faith in the Assam Rifles and demanded withdrawal of the particular paramilitary force from Nongshum and surrounding areas.

Comment