A day before Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s visit to Manipur, at least four persons died, including two commando personnel, while 12 others were left injured in a firing incident that took place at Sugnu in Kakching district on Sunday.
Locals of the Sugnu reported that the villagers had been fearing that Kuki militants might attack their village; but no incidents of violence occurred so far during the eruption of the ongoing communal clash as there was a peace agreement signed between the Meitei community and Kuki community in the area.
The peace agreement finally broke, when some suspected Kuki militants started firing around 2.40 am on Sunday, as per the locals.
Locals and commando personnel who were deployed in the Sugnu, Kakching district retaliated by firing back towards the militants.
Meanwhile, the suspected Kuki militants burned down more than 50 houses located in the peripheral area of Sugnu.
The angry mob of Sugnu area also set ablaze some of the houses of Kukis located around Sugnu. The firing continued for over 12 hours.
Commando personnel attempted to disperse the suspected Kuki militants from Sugnu Thana Leikai, Kakching district but they were unable to do so.
One of the commando personnel told the Imphal Free Press that the suspected militants fired at their bullet proof vehicles with high accuracy.
Such accuracy in shooting could only be carried out by well-trained persons, he said. He further raised suspicion that the militants might be using snipers.
Various bullet marks were found in the commando bulletproof vehicles. Some of the bullets even managed to penetrate the commando vehicles.
The BSF personnel deployed at the area were seen staying at safe spots without engaging in any firing. Villagers from Serou were also seen coming towards Sugnu to find a safe place.
Our Thoubal Correspondent has added that a combined team led by Kakching DC, Somorjit Salam, SP, Kakching Shrey vats along with CDO, AR and BSF personnel came to the spot but they were blocked by a large mob who declared that they do not trust the Central forces.
Leaving behind the AR, a team led by DC Kakching and SP Kakching along with CDO and BSF personnel moved towards Lanching village and joined the retaliation towards the militants.
During the gunbattle, one CDO personnel, Th Kiran ,47, from Purna heituppokpi leikai, civilians, namely Ningthoujam Momocha, 21, from Sekmaijin (Imphal west), Ningthoujam Gandhi ,40, from Kakching Khunou Hairiba sustained bullet injuries and they succumbed to their injuries while being admitted to Kakching Jivan Hospital.
Meanwhile, another civilian, Kh Ojit ,45, from Salungpham suffered from a heart attack and passed away as he was rushed to the hospital.
The injured were admitted to Jivan Hospital, Kakching, and Thoubal district hospital.
Jivan Hospital, Kakching has been providing free service for the injured, including free ambulance service.
Also Read: Six die, several hurt in firing by Kuki militants; enraged mobs take to streets in Manipur
