A total of 4 death, 6 injured; Non-stop attacks on Kuki-Zo inhabited areas continue for 3rd consecutive day

A total of four village defenders from Kuki-Zo community lost their lives in the last 24-hours as a result of intermittent attacks on the tribal areas in the periphery of Chingphei, Lonphai, Langchingmanbi, Khousabung, Khoirentak and Kangathei under Churchandpur district, adjoining Meitei inhabited Bishenpur district.

The Meiteis radical armed groups alongwith the valley-based militants, allegedly supported by Manipur State Police forces, continue unabated attacks on Kuki-Zo inhabited areas for three consecutive days, and the tribal volunteers defended heavily from the attackers. Heavy exchange of gunfires continues even on the third day, resulting in lost of lives and several injuries.

Two village guards died during the heavy exchange of gunfires on Thursday, the 3rd consecutive day since fresh violence broke on August 29. The dead bodies are identified as Paokam Kipgen (50 yrs) of Koite Village and Pausawndam Vaiphei (35 yrs) of Kangvai.

Earlier in the day, two injured persons who were treated in Lamka District Hospital succumbed to their injuries on Wednesday. The two volunteers were identified as LS Mangboi Lhungdim (50 yrs) of T. Muiphai and Richard Hemkholun (31 yrs) of Neihsiel Veng. Mangboi Lhungdim had sustained critical injury on his head and was brought for Guwahati via Aizawl last night. He succumbed to his injury on the way at Songtal village. His lifeless body was then brought back to Lamka.

The injured persons are identified as Khamthang (37 yrs), Lunkhohao (53 yrs), Thangliensang (35 yrs), Gouminlen (18 yrs), Muanthang (52 yrs) and Lamminlal (36 yrs).

Meanwhile, the Indigenous Tribal Leaders' Forum (ITLF) strongly condemned the Meitei radicals continuous attacks on the tribal positions in areas bordering Lamka (Churachandpur) and Bishnupur districts, disregarding repeated calls by Union Home Minister, Amit Shah, to maintain peace.

ITLF said the attacks today, which started around 6:00 am, happened simultaneously at six locations - Chingphei, Lonphai, Langchingmanbi, Khousabung, Khoirengtak, and Kangathei. Two tribal volunteers- Paokam and Pausuandam lost their lives, and firing is still continuing.

Earlier, two tribals who were injured in a bomb attack the previous day died of their wounds. One of the dead, LS Mangboi Lhungdim (50), composed the song "I Gam Hilou Ham" (Is this not our land?) after the ethnic violence broke out in Manipur on May 3, and it became a rallying cry for tribal unity. The other casualty was Richard Hemkholun (31), a village volunteer, the tribal body stated.

In its press condemnation, ITLF Spokesperson, Ginza Vualzong stated that the Meitei militants have lately been pounding tribal areas with mortar shells stolen from police stations and armouries, leading to high tribal casualties. The Indigenous Tribal Leaders' Forum (ITLF) once again urged the government and security forces to prioritise the retrieval of looted weapons from the Meitei community.

"These unending attacks are clearly a ploy to derail political talks between tribal SoO groups and the central government. The latest round of talks was held today and will continue tomorrow," he said.

While condemning the dastardly attacks, ITLF appealed to the security forces to ensure the safety of tribals who are guarding their villages in the foothills.