Lungter hill range in Sanakeithel set ablaze

Mungchan Zimik
UKHRUL, Feb 23: A portion of Lungter hill range at Sanakeithel (Sinakeithei) was set ablaze by suspected Kuki miscreants at around 12.30 pm today.  
This act of arson has created an alarming and panicky situation among the people of Sinakeithei, Ukhrul district.
According to a statement issued by Rungsung Ulysis, chairman of Sinakeithei village, the arsonists were travelling in a white Bolero vehicle from the Leplen side towards Lapharak (Kuki village), stopped along the way and deliberately set fire to portions of the Lungter Hill Range under Sinakeithei village territorial jurisdiction.
The village chairman said that the arson at Lungter Hill Range is not an isolated act, but a calculated strategy. It appeared that the hill range was deliberately set on fire to create confusion and take advantage of the situation for their movement and ‘activities’ in and around the area.
It said that a farmer of Sinakeithei village, Aseng Awungshi was abducted at the Lungter foothills by a Kuki armed group. He was forcibly taken to the upstream jungle.
Aseng Awungshi was going to his field within the Sinakeithei territorial area. But he was subjected to intensive questioning by the suspected Kuki armed group as to why he was going to his field.
He was also questioned regarding the presence of police and other security forces in the village.
The armed group warned him not to move freely in the area.
Meanwhile a Kuki armed group allegedly fired several rounds of bullets upon one Kingson Muivah of Sinakeithei village as he fled when the armed persons asked him to stop.
The firing posed grave danger to his life and caused widespread panic among other villagers. All these incidents happened within the Sinakeithei territorial jurisdiction, said the Sinakeithei village chairman.
Strongly condemning these acts of arson, attempted murder, abduction and firing upon innocent civilians, the Sinakeithei Village Authority said that such actions pose a direct threat to the safety, security and peaceful existence of the Sinakeithei community.
The village authority has called upon the concerned civil administration and security forces to take immediate action, conduct a thorough investigation, and ensure adequate protection to prevent further escalation.
The Sinakeithei Village Authority added that it remains steadfast in safeguarding the lives, land, and dignity of its people.