IKAL calls out AR's 'bluff' with pics
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, June 03 2025: Iramdam Kanba Lup (IKAL) has expressed discontent with the Assam Rifles' statement refuting the killing of a Meitei-owned cow by Kukis at Chanung Awang Leikai under Khundrakpam AC on May 30 .

During a press conference held at IKAL Office at MRC Club, Lamboikhul, IKAL advisor Ningthou-khongjam Sanatomba said that at 10.30 am on May 30, a large number of armed Kuki men came down and fired a few rounds of shots about 100 metres away from an Assam Rifles post at Chanung Awang Leikai.

Some cattle were reportedly seen fleeing the area after hearing the gun shots.

A few eyewitnesses told Assam Rifles personnel that the shots may have been fired to kill cows.

IKAL calls out AR's 'bluff' with pics

After speaking to the armed Kuki men, the AR personnel told the villagers that they found no evidence of any cows being killed.

Sagolmang police also cited lack of proof of any cow being slaughtered and attempted to close the case quietly, alleged Ningthoukhongjam Sanatomba.

Terming the statements of Sagolmang police and AR as unfortunate, he said that Chanung villagers could not refute their statement as they did not release their cattle to graze freely.

However, IKAL was urged to investigate if the case of a missing cow belonging to Thokchom Basant from Taretkhul Mayai Leikai was linked to the Chanung incident.

The cow went missing on May 30, said Ningthoukhongjam Sanatomba.

After watching the viral footage of alleged Kuki men dragging a dead cow up a hill, Thokchom Basant confirmed that it was his own cow in the video.

Some of the men in the footage were also identified as hailing from Kuki villages near Chanung.

Considering the situation, the IKAL advisor expressed discontent that the armed Kuki men were able to kill a cow belonging to a Meitei only a 100 metres away from an AR post while the AR personnel allegedly displayed apathy and shielded the Kukis.

He also condemned the PR Government for failing to take any action in this regard when video footage of the incident is available on social media.

This recent incident has raised apprehensions among the residents of Chanung and nearby villages who are not under the watch of any village volunteers but AR and CRPF personnel, he maintained.

The IKAL advisor has urged the Governor to take action against the Kuki perpetrators.

Confirming that it was their missing cow in the video, Thokchom Basant's wife Thokchom Bila added that the calves set loose for grazing returned home without their mother and urged the concerned authority to address the issue.