Kuki militants continue to rain bullets on villages

By Our Staff Reporter
IMPHAL, Jul 3: A day after three Meitei village volunteers were killed at Khoijumantabi, Kuki militants continued attacks on Meitei settlements injuring several civilians and burning down houses at Chanbirok under Sekmai police station in Imphal West today.
While one person was reportedly injured in a fresh attack at Khoijumantabi today, one Muslim man was hurt in an attack carried out by Kuki militants at Phougakchao Ikhai Awang Leikai yesterday night.
Reportedly, three other persons sustained bullet injuries in attacks at areas under Sekmai Assembly Constituency.
The Kuki militants' attacks at the Meitei settlements under Sekmai police station came early morning today.
Kuki militants carrying sophisticated weapons came down from Luwang Sangol hill range and fired indiscriminately towards Chanbirok village at around 4.30 am.
Three persons were injured in the attack by the Kuki militants. Two of the three injured persons have been admitted to Raj Medicity late in the evening today.
Later, the militants burnt down several houses including a farmhouse. The farm- house stood near Khong-nangpokpi Kom village.
The village volunteers who were protecting the village retaliated by firing some rounds of bullets using license guns and prevented the Kuki militants' advance and further arson and destruction of properties.
After exchanging fire for some time, the Kuki militants retreated to the nearby hills.
Afterwards, a large number of village volunteers thronged the area and joined the local volunteers.
While several bunkers built by Kuki militants at Khongnangpoki village were destroyed, a mob built up at nearby Mapao Naga village on a rumour that some villagers were sheltering Kukis. However, the mob died down as it was ascertained that three persons taking shelter in the village were Kom elders of Khongnangpokpi.
Even as they pursued the militants in a bid to drive them out from the nearby hills and sabotage their future offensive efforts, the volunteers couldn't advance much.
The Kuki militants are reportedly taking position in the hills and they may launch another offensive, said sources.
In the meantime, Meitei settlements at Sekmai Nongthongbam also came under attack by Kuki militants today.
The Kuki militants fired at the settlements from the nearby hills and their attack was met with retaliatory firing from the village volunteers using license guns.
Imphal West district police rushed to the spot and tried to bring the situation under control.
The police force carried out a massive search operation to nab the militants.
Kuki militants were firing towards the settlements and State security personnel till the time of filing of this report.
There have been no reports of any injury.
In Bishnupur, at around 11 pm yesterday, Kuki militants fired several rounds of bullets at Phougakchao Ikhai Awang Leikai injuring one Muslim man, identified as Md Abdul Kadir (35) from Kwakta Ward No 5.
He was at his home when he was struck by a bullet on his feet.
He is receiving treatment at Bishnupur District Hospital.
Phougakchao Ikhai Awang Leikai falls under Kumbi Gram Panchayat area and is under Phougakchao Ikhai police station.
Sources said the firing came from Tongbram Kollup (colony) and the area between Kwakta Ward No 8 and Ward No 9, which are under the control of the Kuki militants.
The Kuki militants had occupied the area after Meitei villagers fled to safety.
After the Kuki militants fired at the settlements, personnel of Border Security Force, Village Defence Force (VDF) deployed in the area and State force retaliated and a gunfight ensued till 3.30 am today.
Meanwhile, a search operation was conducted at Tongbram Kollup today afternoon.
Initially, officials of the District Magistrate, State force, BSF, 9 AR and Kumaon Regiment rushed to the area to conduct the search operation at around 1 pm. Media persons were allowed to proceed towards Tongbram Kollup.
Merely 100 metres from Tongbram Kollup, the Kumaon Regiment and the BSF told the State force, Magistrate officials and the media persons to wait in the area while they inspect the area beforehand.
However, the State force, Magistrate officials and the media personnel were later not allowed to enter. The Central forces alone conducted the search operation till 3.15 pm. No one was detained or arrested during the operation.
While the Central forces teams that conducted the search operation did not dismantle any of the bunkers built by Kuki militants in the area, a platoon of the Border Security Force (BSF) has been stationed in the area.
It may be noted here that the Kuki militants had carried out the attack yesterday night despite CRPF personnel deployed in Tongbram area.
Meanwhile, there has also been a report of a gunfight at Khoijumantabi, where Kuki militants killed three Meitei village volunteers yesterday. Sources said Kuki militants started firing at around 3 pm. At least one person has been injured in the attack by the Kuki militants. Both sides were exchanging fire till the time of filing this report. Reliable sources also reported firing at Leingangching near Napat.