A video captured by a drone showed that at least three persons dressed in military uniforms, supposedly security forces sent by the centre, were seen casually roaming around the site as if they were checking the site without seeking immediate reinforcement or asking for fire-brigade’s help.
TFM Report
Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh on Sunday said around 40 suspected armed Kuki cadres have been killed in the ongoing violence. Disclosing this at a press conference held at the Chief Minister’s Secretariat Durbar Hall, Biren also said that the armed used by the Kuki groups include sophisticated weapons like AK-47s and M-16 2-inch mortars. He informed that the ongoing violence had subsided for a while but in the last few days it has escalated further, as per a local cable TV channel.
He said that in the ongoing violence, Kuki armed groups are killing innocent people and this violence could be put to a halt with the cooperation of the people. He also emphasized that “the ongoing violence is between those who want to save Manipur and those who want to break Manipur” and this violence had led to the suffering of the innocent common people.
Meanwhile, three persons were reportedly killed in Sugnu area located between Bishnupur, Kakching and Churachandpur districts in an exchange of fire between armed Kuki cadres and security forces. Villages within Kumbi Assembly Constituency in Bishnupur were also reportedly on fire, as per preliminary report. Another person was reported killed at Phayeng as early morning on Sunday when a skirmish took place. Incidents of burning of villages in Sekmai area has led to many people fleeing their homes.
Among the dead include two police commandos, at least 6 civilians. Twelve are reported wounded and counting. Meitei villages of Tangjeng, Napat, Serou and Tangjeng Khunou burnt to the ground. Kuki villages of Langching, Zou Veng, Sawomphai were also burnt all totalling over 800. More than a thousand Meities are reportedly stuck at Serou, Police ambushed at Serou lamkhai.
On Saturday, a school located in Uyumkhong areas under Bishnupur district was set on fire by suspected Kuki armed cadres. In the incident, the school owned by on RK Jito Singh of Moirang was burnt down. A video captured by a drone showed that at least three persons dressed in military uniforms, supposedly security forces sent by the centre, were seen casually roaming around the site as if they were checking the site without seeking immediate reinforcement or asking for fire-brigade’s help. At one point in time, one of them was seen dousing a space inside the area with a bucket of water. While he was in the action, one of them was capturing the act on his mobile phone. Once the other person stopped filming or taking pictures on his mobile phone, the uniformed man drops the bucket and leaves the place.