A fresh wave of violence engulfed Kangpokpi District on Tuesday afternoon, following the heavy onslaught unleashed by armed Meitei militants and the Arambai Tenggol in the Phaileng-Luwangsanggol area, situated on the fringe between Kangpokpi and Imphal West.
The Meitei militants, and the Arambai Tenggol, armed with deadly precision rain down a barrage of mortar shells and bombs on the Kuki villages, engulfing them in a relentless crossfire that persists until nightfall.
Although there is no official confirmation, sources indicate that at least two armed Meitei militants were killed during the crossfire, with no reported casualties among the Kuki volunteers.
The gunfight continued till the filing of this report late in the evening.
Meanwhile, the Committee on Tribal Unity, or the CoTU, Sadar Hills vehemently condemned the unabated aggression of the armed Meitei militants and the Arambai Tenggol on Kuki.
Ng. Lun Kipgen, the Media Cell Coordinator of CoTU, asserted that the fresh attack on Kuki at Phaileng-Luwangsanggol villages is a blatant ploy by the Arambai Tenggol and the Meitei Militants to salvage their tarnished image following their interference in the recently concluded first phase Lok Sabha Polls.
Kipgen vividly recounted the harrowing events of April 14 at Phailengmol, marking it as one of the most egregious violations of human rights in recent memory while adding that in the incident two Kuki volunteers fell victim to a brutal massacre and mutilation orchestrated by Meitei militants and the Arambai Tenggol, leaving an indelible scar on the conscience of society.
Kipgen pointed out that, till now authorities concerned have yet to act on the brutal murder of Phailengmol.
He claimed that the lack of action from the relevant authorities empowered the armed Meitei militants and the Arambai Tenggol, leading to another attack on the Kuki just a week after the tragic killing of Phailengmol.
"Enough is enough. How many more sacrifices must we make to maintain peace in the region? The central government must intervene and instruct an unfit leader like Mr. Biren Singh to cease the unprovoked attacks on the Kuki people", Kipgen asserted.
"Biren Singh must reckon with the damage he's wrought, both within his own community and among the Kuki people, and gracefully exit the stage", he further added.
The Committee on Tribal Unity vehemently denounced the assault on the Phaileng-Luwangsanggol area, branding it as a brutal and unjustified act of aggression.
Regarding the tragic killing of Phailengmol on April 14, Ng. Lun Kipgen, the Media Cell Coordinator for CoTU, mentioned that a petition has been submitted to the relevant district authority.
He also stated that if the case involving the gruesome killing of two Kuki volunteers in Phailengmol is not resolved promptly, extreme measures may be considered.
The Hills Journal
K. Salbung, Churachandpur
Manipur-795128
