Tangkhul headman of Litan now homeless

Mungchan Zimik
Ukhrul, Feb 11 : The violent incident that occurred at Litan Sareikhong village since February 8, involving arson, has left the headman of Litan homeless.
Speaking to this correspondent, Khanringpam Vashum, the headman of Litan Village, said that his family escaped a horrific life attempt following an attack by Kuki miscreants on February 8.
According to him, Litan Sareikhong and Sarkaphung are two distinct villages.
He also said that Litan is a smaller, separate village governed by its own headman, located near the Litan Bridge.
Khanringpam explained that Litan Village falls under Touzi no 37, and as the legal hereditary headman, he is responsible for the village’s governance.
He stated that he was unaware of the altercation involving some individuals at Litan Sareikhong and clarified that the conflict was between Litan Sareikhong and Sarkaphung.
Instead of seeking honourable resolutions, some unidentified Kuki miscreants attacked his home around 10.30 pm on Sunday (February 8), while his family was asleep.
Khanringpam recounted that without any apparent reason, they (the Kuki miscreants) threw petrol bombs and indiscriminately opened fire on his house.
He questioned why he was made a victim or scapegoat in the conflict between the two villages (Litan Sareikhong and Sarkaphung).
"I am not part of the conflict and have no enmity with either village," stated Khanringpam.
Saying that the attack on his family goes against Christian ethics and practices, he added that his mind is still very much disturbed due to the intense gunfire directed at his family by the Kuki militants.
"We all narrowly escaped," the village headman recounted and added that they walked through the night to save themselves, sneaking through the river and seeking refuge at the nearest Tangkhul village.
He said that his family is currently residing at his aunt's house in Ukhrul town.
Khanringpam continued that he is homeless now as his house has been reduced to cinders.
"I have lost all my hard-earned assets, including vehicles, valuable items, wooden planks, livestock, and more worth lakhs of rupees," he  sighed.
"Now, nothing is left", he said, visibly dejected asking how long he can survive on public sympathy and donations from well-wishers ?
"I wish to go back home", he further said and reiterated that he has no issues with either of the two villages and just wants to start working for his family.
He also said that his elderly mother, Lugang Vashum, and his sister were injured while fleeing from the attack and are now unable to walk properly.
Lugang (68) expressed her longing to return home and meet her neighbours.
 She said that since Litan was not part of the conflict, no security was deployed in the village.
This lack of protection forced the Tangkhul people to leave Litan due to growing insecurity, she added.
Meanwhile, the district administration of Ukhrul has appealed to all people displaced due to the Litan Sareikhong incident to report to the district nodal officer at the Mini Secretariat to receive immediate relief assistance.
For any queries, they are advised to visit the 211 E East Block, Mini Secretariat, Ukhrul.