A student, who recently cleared Class-12 examination, was killed at Kwakta, Bishnupur district, in an attack carried out by suspected Kuki militants early Friday, while several Meira Paibis were hurt in the ensuing clash with the central forces following the incident, sources said.
The attack took place around 1:45 am at Kwakta Kuthabi Ward Number 8, Tiddim Road, near a sericulture farm, within the jurisdiction of Phougakchao Ikhai Police Station, Bishnupur district.
The deceased was identified as one 17-year-old Mayanglambam Ricky, son of M Ibomcha of Kwakta Ward No 9 Moirang Turel Mapan. Ricky, a student of Moirang Multipurpose Higher Secondary School, cleared the class-12 examination recently.
According to the sources, Kuki militants started firing guns and bombs from Heikon and Phuasanphai village, which is located at the back of Kwakta Ward No 9, Moirang Turel Mapan, around 1:15 am. Village volunteers also retaliated the attack, the sources said.
The sources said that M Ibomcha, father of the deceased, told his son to flee from their home due to the gunfight between the Kuki militants and village volunteers. Ricky fled in a Komaki scooter towards Kwakta Bazar but was shot dead by the Kuki militants at Kwakta Ward No 8 Kuthabi Muslim Leikai, where the Kuki militants were already in hiding, the sources added.
A large number of Assam Rifles (AR) troops reportedly halted state forces from entering the shootout site at Kwakta Bazar, which the villagers alleged was a pre-planned strategy to let the Kuki militants escape the scene.
On hearing the news, womenfolk halted central forces vehicles at Ningthoukhong, Moirang, Bishnupur Bazar and Kwakta Bazar.
The AR personnel reportedly used force against the womenfolk who were enforcing the road blockade. It is learned that several women were injured due to the excessive act of the security forces.
Following the incident, state forces and village volunteers are on strict vigil at the area.
Meanwhile, students of Moirang Multipurpose Higher Secondary School staged a protest in front of their school, condemning the killing of Mayengbam Ricky Meetei (17) of Kwakta Turel Mapal, Ward No. 9 of Kwakta Municipal Council.
