Kukis set houses ablaze near Leimakhong Army Hqs

By Our Staff Reporter
IMPHAL, Jul 11 : In a fresh offensive targeting the Meitei community, a large Kuki mob set ablaze as many as six Meitei houses in broad daylight right under the nose of the army at the cantonment town of Leimakhong in Imphal West district today.
Rather than controlling the Kuki mob who went berserk, Central security forces targeted Meitei villagers who rushed in to contain and douse the fire, resulting in injuries to five civilians.
According to information culled from the State, a large number of Kuki people took out a rally at Leimakhong this afternoon demanding free flow of essential commodities to Kuki villages.
Apprehensive that the kuki mob may come to Kanto Sabal, a large number gathered at Kanto Sabal and monitored the situation.
In the meantime, the people saw thick plumes of smoke rising from Leimakhong at around 1.20 pm.    
When the villagers asked the Central security personnel deployed in the vicinity about the smoke, they replied that the smoke was from burning used tyres.
As it did not look like burning tyres, the villagers somehow entered their village and true to their apprehension, six houses were found completely reduced to ashes.
The houses belonged to L Sanathoi, L Rajesh, L Rahul, L Nungshitombi, Th Leiri and Kangjam Guni.
Not long after the Kukis launched their premeditated armed aggression on May 3, 2023, these families abandoned their houses and took shelter in safer areas.
Some Kanto Sabal villagers said that army, Central security personnel and Kangpokpi district personnel were present when the Kukis torched the Meitei houses and they watched silently.
However, when the Meitei villagers tried to move in to contain the fire and save the houses, the security forces blocked their way by parking Casspir vehicles across the road.
Apart from that, the security forces targeted the Meitei villages by firing several rounds of tear gas shells as well as live bullets.
Five civilians sustained injuries in the crackdown by security forces.
The area where the houses were set ablaze was guarded by the Punjab Regiment. In addition, a three-tier security cover manned by Central security forces was also put around the area, said the villagers.
It took more than one hour for fire tenders to reach the spot and the houses were already reduced to ashes when they reached the spot.
Later the Imphal West SP, troops of CRPF and RAF went to the spot and took stock of the situation.
Meanwhile, Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand has stated that two persons allegedly involved in the arson at Kanto Sabal, Leimakhong area have been arrested.
The Chief Minister made this statement in response to queries made by media persons at Khuman Lampak Sports Complex this evening where he attended an event. The arrested persons have been identified as Kammang Lhouvum (65) s/o late Vompao Lhouvum, chief of Hengjang village and Pagin Hangshing (30) s/o Lunpao Hangshing of Khunkho Kuki village. It is said that Kammang Lhouvum is also the chairman of Leimakhong Area Protection Committee.     On the other hand, MLA Heikham Dingo (Sekmai AC) has stated that the Kuki mobs were able to torch the houses because of laxity on the part of the army personnel.