In yet another instance of violence which unfolded in the state, at least nine village volunteers were killed and several others injured at Khamenlok area in Kangpokpi district following an attack by suspected Kuki militants.
The assailants, suspected to be members of Kuki militant groups, armed with sophisticated weapons and seven of them were mercilessly murdered inside the church. Besides bullet wounds, many of them were mutilated with sharp weapons.
According to reports, the village volunteers had forced back the attackers till Khamenlok area and were resting at a church when they were attacked by the suspected Kuki militants with lethode bombs and sophisticated weapons.
Though the volunteers fought back, they were overpowered by the militants and were eventually killed in cold-blood.
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Eyewitness accounts say, about 10 lungi clad militants were among the Kuki militants who attacked them.
The overall attack resulted in the tragic death of at least nine civilians. Besides killing the nine, the suspected Kuki militants were said to have taken three volunteers as captives.
Reports claim that on Wednesday morning, the Kuki militants informed the villagers of Nongsum Village to come and collect the dead bodies of three individuals. However, till the filing of this report, there was no report of their bodies being taken up.
The deceased have been identified as one Rajkumar Prasanta, 28, son of Rk Santamani Meitei of Khurai Kongpal Ningthoubung Leikai; Konjengbam Shankar Singh, 25, son of K Shamungou Singh of Itham Nungoi Awang Leikai; Haobijam Somenkumar, 33, son of Haobijam Chaoba Singh of Pangei Waiton Lamkhai; Moirangthem Heman, 34, son of M Lela Singh of Okshu; Telem Thoithoi, 28, son of T Surjit of Leimakhong Mapal; Laishram Narendra @ Naothoiba, 32, son of L Henki Devi of Kongpal Ningthoubung Leikai and Laishram Bangkimchandra @ Mathai, 33, s/o L Megha of Kangla Sangomshang.
They were killed by the Kuki militants during the attack while Yumnam Surjitkumar, 43, son of Y Kulla of Okshu and Laishram Suresh, 33, son of L Samungou of Okshu Ningthemcha Khun Mamang Leikai succumbed to their injuries at Raj Medicity early Wednesday morning.
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Additionally, around 10 village volunteers were said to have sustained bullet injuries and are currently undergoing treatment at Raj Medicity and RIMS in Imphal.
Reliable sources indicate that the attack was carried out with meticulous planning as the suspected Kuki militants launched their assault on the village volunteers from three different angles. The victims, many of whom displayed cuts on their torso, hands, and neck, as well as multiple bullet wounds, endured a horrifying ordeal during the attack.
Of the total nine dead, eight of them have been claimed by their respective family from JNIMS morgue while one of the bodies is yet to be identified or claimed.
It is worth mentioning here that on Monday at least 9 volunteers of the village defense force received bullet injuries during exchange of fire with Kuki militants at Khamenlok area in Saikul sub-division of Kangpokpi district.
Expressing deep concern over the magnitude of the tragedy, MLA of Khundrakpam AC, Th Lokeshwor, emphasised that this incident highlights a breakdown of law and order within the state.
He stressed that such a heinous crime must not go unpunished and expressed disappointment at the lack of timely intervention by the chief minister and relevant authorities, despite his repeated calls for immediate action.
In response to the situation, a substantial number of security forces quickly rushed to the area and successfully gained control, effectively restoring order.
Consequently, the curfew relaxation in Imphal East and Imphal West districts was shortened to a period between 5 am and 9 am, considering the prevailing law and order situation and in order to prevent any untoward incidents.
Meanwhile, a large number of women took to the streets leading to Khamenlok area and obstructed the movement of the Assam Rifles convoy and other central forces. They alleged that the Assam Rifles forces were biased and that they have lost faith in them.
