They launched a series of attacks targeting various Meitei villages across the state in January leaving 13 dead and a score injured
By Mayanglambam Jemchandra
Kuki militants seem to be bound and determined to keep the Manipur unrest on the boil as they launched a series of attacks targeting various Meitei villages across the state in January leaving 13 dead and a score injured.
On January 2 morning, Kuki militants attacked security forces at Chavangfai village, Moreh Ward No. 7, resulting in injuries to several personnel including State police commandos and three BSF Jawans. The injured were identified as Maibam Thoiba (32), Chabungbam Herojit (34), Mangsatabam Premkumar (35), Kamei Gaihemlung (40), and Maibam Dayanidhi (47), along with Ravinder Singh and Head Constable Devendra from the BSF.
Subsequently, on January 7, Kuki militants launched another bomb attack on security forces. In response, the Assam Rifles retaliated against the militants. The following morning, Kuki militants initiated fresh attacks on state force posts from various locations, leading to a prolonged heavy gunfight.
On January 10, Kuki militants captured four villagers who were collecting firewood on Wangoo Terakhong Akashoi hill. Their bodies were recovered the following day from nearby hill. The deceased were identified as Thoudam Ibomcha (53), Thoudam Anand(27), Oinam Romen (45), and Ahanthem Dara (36), all from Wangoo Terakhong,
On January 12, Kuki militants again targeted a temporary commando post at Kondong Lairembi, resulting in heavy exchange of fires.
On January 15, Manipur police apprehended two prime suspects involved in the killing of SDPO Ch Anandkumar in Moreh. The following day, Kuki militants attacked state force posts at Kondong Lairembi and an SBI outpost using RPGs. In this incident, two special commandos, Wangkhem Somorjit (32) and Takhellambam Saileshwar (30), lost their lives. Five other personnel, Sidarth Thokchom (ASI), Constable Vhim, Md. Kamal Hassan, Songsuwathui Aimol, and Md Abdul Hassim, sustained bullet and splinter injuries.
On January 17, Kuki militants attacked Phayeng, Kangchup, and Kadangband villages. In the attack, one Takhellambam Manoranjan, 33, of Thiyam Konjil succumbed to gunshot injuries. The following evening, Kuki militants targeted Meitei houses in Ninghthoukhong Kha Khunou, killing four civilians – Oinam Bamonjao (60), Oinam Manitomba (35), Thiyam Somen (51), and Ningthouam Nabadeep of Ningthoukhong Kha Khunou Ward No. 4.
On January 27, a fierce gunfight erupted between Meitei volunteers and Kuki militants at Satang and Molsang hills near Khamenlok under Sagolmang Police station. One Kuki militant, Vilminlun Khongsai, 26, from NG Phainom village in Kangpokpi district, lost his life. In the incident, four Meitei village volunteers sustained bullet injuries. One Meira paibi identified as Lairenlakpam Bimola of Kangla Siphai, who came to aid Meitei volunteers, also died in a road accident.
The violence continued on January 30 when Kuki militants attacked Kadangband Chingthak with bombs, claiming the lives of two Meitei volunteers – Meisnam Khaba, 25, of Sagoltonba Mamang Leikai, and Nongthombam Michaeljit, 32, of Palace Compound. Three other Meitei volunteers – Nangom Sanjit, 19, of Kadangband Part-II, Wangjam Bikash, 20, of Irilbung Bazar, and M. Barish, 30, of Wanghei Ninghtem Pukhri Mapal – were also injured in the incident.