At least three civilians were killed in a fierce overnight gun battle with suspected Kuki militants at Khoijumantabi under Kumbi Police Station in Bishnupur district on Sunday, while seven militants are presumed dead in the encounter, sources said.
The deceased have been identified as one Ningombam Ibomcha, 34, son of N Iboton; Haobam Ibocha, 41, son of (Late) H Kesho and Naorem Rajkumar alias Hanupu, 26, son of N Sanjoy - all from Khoijumantabi Maning Leikai. N Ibomcha is survived by his wife and two daughters while H Ibocha is survived by his wife and three daughters; N Rajkumar was a bachelor.
According to sources, the shootout between the village volunteers and suspected militants erupted on the intervening night of Saturday and Sunday at 12:05 am at a bunker built atop Khoijumantabi Hillock, located 12 km southwest of Kumbi PS.
The gunfight was the latest in two months of near-daily violence that has plagued the state.
According to the villagers, a total of eight volunteers were on guard duty at the bunker. They were working in two teams in shifts with four on each side for sentry duty. The militants cornered them and launched the coordinated deadly attack from both sides using automatic weapons around 12 midnight.
The Kuki militants reportedly advanced from the north side of the bunker from Muslim Village Pora Chingya Leikai and Langya (Hmar) Village Chingyang.
It is also said that a VDF post is located nearby Khoijumantabi Chingya Leikai, from which one or two personnel used to assist in the sentry duty at the bunker. However, no VDF personnel were present for the same on the night of the incident.
Following reports of the militants attacking the bunker, the remaining village volunteers retaliated and fired upon the Kuki militants, engaging in a fierce crossfire.
Seven Kuki militants are presumed dead in the encounter.
The bodies of two village volunteers were discovered near the bunker while one was found away from the site.
Meanwhile, irate villagers of Khoijumantabi Maning Leikai carried the bodies of the three volunteers and approached the residence of MLA of Kumbi Constituency, Sanasam Premchandra at Salam Konjil. A public meeting was also held at the MLA’s residence.
Shortly after, Chief Minister N Biren came to the MLA’s residence where he offered his condolences to the grieving families and pacified the agitating villagers. Later the chief minister also inspected the crime scene.
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Meanwhilve, according to sources, village volunteers of Khoijumantabi Maning Leikai launched a cross-border raid and destroyed bunkers constructed by the militants at Langya (Hmar) Village. It is also said that the militants have reportedly retreated to Dampi village bordering Langya village.
Villagers of Khoijumantabi Maning Leikai, including women and children, who fled their homes following the gunfight at the village are presently seeking refuge at Laingoubi and Sandangkhong villages.
The bodies of the village volunteers have been shifted to RIMS mortuary for post-mortem. It is said that the bodies will be kept at the mortuary until the situation at the village quiets down.
Following the death of three village volunteers, police launched an operation in the area and the armed miscreants were repelled.
Meanwhile, two people were injured in a shootout between armed miscreants at the adjoining villages of Khoijumantabi and Leingangtabi under Kumbi police state in Bishnupur district on Sunday evening.
According to sources, information was received at 6:35 pm from Bishnupur District Police Control Room about a firing incident between armed miscreants at the adjoining villages of Khoijumantabi and Leingangtabi after the departure of CM Biren.
The two injured have been identified as Khundrakpam Sofia (26), daughter of Kh Govind of Kha Potsangbam in Bishnupur district, who was hit by a bullet on her right thigh and is admitted at RIMS and Heisnam Naocha Singh (42), son of H Yaima of Chairel Manjil under PS Waikhong, Kakching district.
