Two Kuki militants killed in retaliatory firing

By Our Staff Reporter
IMPHAL, Apr 28 :  Two Kuki militants have been killed while three others sustained injuries in retaliatory firing by village volunteers.
Some Meitei villagers went to Kadangband hills to collect firewood but they came under attack from Kuki militants from the direction of Kharam Thadou, Kangpokpi district at around 2.50 pm yesterday.
Village volunteers fired back and one Kuki militant sustained injuries.
The injured Kuki militant identified as Agou s/o Thangdum succumbed to the injuries this morning.
Thangdum is said to be the chief of Bethel village.
Agou was hit by a bullet on the abdomen, sources said.  
After the attack on villagers who went to collect firewood yesterday afternoon, Kuki militants launched another round of attack on Meitei villages of Koutruk, Kadangband and Senjam Chirang from Bethel and other Kuki villages of Koubru Hill range this morning.
Notably, these Meitei villages are located at the periphery of Imphal West district, adjoining Kangpokpi district.
At around 2.30 am today, a large number of heavily armed Kuki militants fired a barrage of bombs and bullets toward Koutruk and Kadangband from Bethel village and the nearby hill range.
Later at around 6.20 am, Kuki militants launched another wave of attack upon the Meitei villages using sophisticated weapons including bombs.
Village volunteers, personnel of Manipur Rifles and Indian Reserve Battalion deployed in the area in view of the ongoing crisis retaliated against the Kuki militants who were advancing toward the Meitei villages.
In the retaliatory fire, one Kuki militant was killed and three others sustained injuries in between Bethel and Koutruk village.
The injured Kuki militants were evacuated from the spot by other Kuki militants at around 9.30 am, sources said.
The Kuki militant slain in the retaliatory firing has been identified as Lammang Kipgen (41) s/o (L) Lunglet Kipgen of L Molsang village.
After suffering casualties on their side, Kuki militants launched another fierce attack on Senjam Chirang using bombs and bullets.
In defence, village volunteers fired back resulting in a heavy exchange of fire.
Soon after the incident, a team of Imphal West commandos led by Imphal West SP Ksh Shivakanta and DIG Range I visited the site and assessed the situation.
Although fierce gun battles raged for the whole day in Koutruk, Kadangband and Senjam Chirang areas, there was no report of any injury on the side of village volunteers and security personnel.  
The gunfight was still raging on in the area till the time of filing this report.
On the other hand, troops of 128 Bn, CRPF stationed at Naranseina Maning, Bishnupur district on the western side of 2nd IRB complex have been relocated to Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalaya, Thamnapokpi.
They have been replaced by a platoon of 32 Bn, CRPF.
Notably, two jawans of 128 Bn, CRPF were killed when Kuki militants attacked the Meitei villages of Naranseina and the CRPF camp in the wee hours yesterday. It is said that more Central forces would be deployed in the area and some concrete actions are likely to be initiated soon.