Khamenlok village and two other villages were reportedly attacked around 5.10 pm on Tuesday after H Khopibung village was set ablaze on Monday, following a fierce gun battle between suspected Kuki militants and the village volunteers.
Khamenlok village comprises around 25 households and it is located next to H Khopibung, the frontline village of the area.
After a few hours of firing, Khamenlok, Aigejang, and Chullouphai villages have already been burnt down by village volunteers.
The villages in the Khamenlok area are H Khopibung, Khamenlok, Chullouphai, K Phaimol, Aigejang, Thombol, Jordenphai, Songjang, and Govajang villages, and of these villages H Khopibung, Khamenlok, Aigejang, and Chullouphai villages were already burnt down.
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Meanwhile, the chief of H Khopibung village, Thangminlal Chongloi, 40, son of (L) Paosei Chongloi condemned and refuted the report published by media houses on Tuesday in connection with the torching of his village.
He said that the villagers are scattered and everyone in the Saikul area in fear and he put great efforts into gathering them.
He also said that four volunteers sustained a bullet injury during the gunfight. The injured persons are shifted to Saikul PHC and they are reportedly out of danger, he added.
Meanwhile, Committee on Tribals Unity (COTU) Sadar Hills condemned the reported attack on the villages in Saikul Sub Division of Kangpokpi in the strongest terms.
COTU Spokesperson, reverend K Sitlhou said that despite the union home minister, MoS (Home), and various central agencies’ efforts to bring peace and normalcy to the state, the attacks continue.
He drews an immediate intervention of the Central Government by taking firm action to stop any kind of violence, attack, killing, and torching of villages.
