At least four people were killed in Molnoi village, located east of Pallel under the Tengnoupal Police Station in Tengnoupal District, during a fierce gun battle between Kuki militant groups on Friday around 9.30 am.
As per sources, the clash occurred between the United Kuki Liberation Front (UKLF), a Kuki faction currently under Suspension of Operations (SoO), and the Chin Kuki Liberation Army (CKLA), along with the Village Volunteers Coordinating Committee (VVCC). The house of UKLF Commander-in-Chief SS Haokip was also reportedly set ablaze during the conflict.
The gun battle unfolded after the CKLA, UTV, and VVCC reportedly attacked UKLF front-liners. In the ensuing violence, one UKLF cadre and three VVCC members were killed. The deceased have been identified as Kakai (UKLF) from Moreh, Jangkhohen (VVCC) from M. Chahnou, Moreh, Jangsat alias Sasat (VVCC) from Molnoi Village, and Kamlendang Singson (VVCC) from New Moreh.
Despite the circulation of videos of the killings on social media, Tengnoupal Police Station has yet to initiate legal proceedings. Prior to the gun battle, CKLA, UTV, and VVCC reportedly attacked the UKLF camp at TS Laijang under Molcham Police Station in Chandel District.
Following which, SS Haokip’s residence in Molnoi, situated 2-3 km from Molnoi Village, was set on fire by a mob. There were also reports of gunfire during this attack. The Pallel Bazaar was swiftly closed, and residents fled to safer areas.
In response to the gunbattle, a combined team of Tengnoupal District Police, 169-BSF, and 21-Assam Rifles conducted a search operation in the Molnoi area from 1.15 pm to 4.30 pm.
According to police, during the operation, the team discovered that the house of Village Chief M. Boboi had been set ablaze.
The Kuki village volunteers reportedly fired ten rounds at the combined team, where Assam Rifles retaliated with 2-3 rounds. The volunteers subsequently fled into the jungle.
The combined team also seized two double-barrel guns, one binocular, one handheld Motorola radio, and three Aadhaar cards belonging to Onkhomang Mate.
The gun battle is believed to have been triggered by the arrest of Hegin Baite, Secretary of the Moreh Transport Union, by NSCN (I-M) following false information provided by the UKLF on July 24.
It is reported that an argument during a meeting between UKLF, CKLA, and VVCC led to the clashes.
On the other hand, UKLF ST Battalion CO has claimed that VVCC factions from the Eastern, Southern, and Western regions, along with CKLA and UTV, attacked UKLF cadres, resulting in the death of a UKLF member, stated a release.
It criticised those spreading false propaganda about the UKLF initiating the attack and urged them to visit the scene to understand the true cause.
UKLF has positioned itself as a front-line warrior of the Kuki community since May 3 of last year, aiming to protect them from Meitei, it mentioned.
The group accuses certain individuals of attempting to tarnish their reputation and asks whether they received bribery from the Meitei community.
UKLF asserted that they know who was involved in the incident and warned that those responsible will face consequences, it added.
It may be mentioned that on August 2, Kuki militants reportedly attacked KNF (MC) commander German alias Thangzalam Haokip at the Molnoi Endurance Library in Churachandpur district. Subsequently, on August 8, another fierce gun battle was reported between Kuki militants in the Kangvai area of Churachandpur district.
