Lost all faith in army, say villagers

By Our Staff Reporter
IMPHAL, Jul 12: Villagers of Leimakhong Chingmang, Kanto Sabal and adjoining areas have stated that they have lost all faith in the army.
They have also appealed to the Government to deploy State forces in place of Central forces in the Leimakhong area.
Speaking to media persons at Khurkhul Mandop Yumpham Relief Camp on the burning of six houses by Kukis right under the nose of Central forces at Kanto Sabal on July 11, 2026, camp coordinator RK Sanahal said after the May 3, 2023 violence the 57 Mountain Division, Leimakhong were repeatedly assuring them no one will be allowed to commit violence, killing or arson in any of the areas under their control or jurisdiction.
In spite of their repeated assurances, some houses were burnt down by Kukis forcing the hapless families to live in the relief camp since then, Sanahal said.
Following the burning of those houses, other villagers abandoned their houses and moved to relief camps or safer places.
Even then, army officers of the Leimakhong military  garrison assured that they would not allow anyone to touch the abandoned houses and the army officers did not allow the villagers to take most of the household articles with them, he said.
But Kuki mobs were allowed to set ablaze six of the abandoned houses in broad daylight on July 11, 2026 right in front of the eyes of army personnel.
“Following this incident, whatever little faith we had in the army has been lost”, he said.
Highlighting the growing atmosphere of insecurity and the increasing threats to innocent people, he appealed to the Government to replace Central forces deployed in the area with State forces.
The two Kuki individuals involved in burning down the houses whose images have gone viral on social media are not residents of Leimakhong area. Perhaps, they are Kuki terrorists who came from other places, Sanahal said.
Laitonjam Bijeta of Leimakhong  Chingmang said that they did not retrieve any of their household articles and belongings from their houses on the assurance of the Leimakhong army that they (army) would protect the houses.
But the Kukis were allowed to burn down the houses along with all the household articles and personal belongings without any intervention from the security forces. This is extremely outrageous and painful, she said.  
“As the houses started burning, we tried to rush in and save the houses but we were charged with batons, tear gas shells and driven back only to let the Kukis burn the houses with complete freedom”, Bijeta said.
“Following this heartbreaking incident, we have lost whatever faith we had in the Leimakhong army and other Central forces deployed in the Leimakhong area”, she added.