At least one Kuki militant was suspected to have been killed and a civilian injured following a shootout at Senjam Chirang on Monday between state forces and members of a Kuki militant group.
As per reports, the gunfight started at around 1 pm after personnel of the 4th IRB physically assaulted a Kuki militant at around 9.30 am on Monday in Senjam Chirang under the jurisdiction of Sekmai Police Station.
Retaliating to the incident, the Meeteis set ablaze the ex-services colony in Leimakhong.
The injured personnel have been identified as one Yaikhom Beikul, 46, son of Y Nganba from Langmeidong. Sources stated that he sustained a serious pellet injury during an intense shootout with Kuki militants. The bullet entered from the front of his abdomen and exited out the rear, it informed. He was in a serious condition and had been undergoing treatment at RIMS Hospital, it added.
IG (L/O) Themthing; SP West S Ibomcha; additional SP (Ops), DSP (CDO), and SDPO Lamphel, IRB/MR, came to the shootout area with additional forces and helped the IRB personnel in the gunfight with the Kuki militants, which continued till 6 pm.
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A team of Imphal West District Police, led by Manipur Police IG (L/O) Zone-1 Themthing, joined in a gun fight at Senjam Chirag, which started after a Meetei house was set on fire by suspected Kuki militants at Ingourok Chingmang.
According to the police, one Kuki militant may have died in the incident when they saw one body wrapped in cloth and taken away. A civilian was also injured in the shootout, the police said.
Meanwhile, womenfolk blocked the central forces from passing through Koirengei Lamlongei, Khonghampat and Pheidinga.
The women protesters also stopped a DI Tata loaded with tear gas shells at Maharabi, suspecting that it was for the Kuki militants. The tata was again stopped at Khonghampat on its way back to Imphal, where it was turned over by the protesters, who took all the tear gas shell boxes.
As per reports, the tear gas shell boxes were on their way to Kangpokpi from Imphal along with SP Kangpokpi. However, the SP returned to Imphal due to the incident.
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