Attacks on Kuki villages in fringe areas continue unabated; one died, three injured

One died and three Kuki-Zo village volunteers sustained injuries in sporadic and intermittent attacks by the Meiteis radicals in complicit with the State forces in the fringe areas of Churachandpur, bordering the valley districts, early this morning.

The Meiteis' armed militias unabatedly attacked different areas of Kuki-Zo community's jurisdiction in the peripheral areas of Churchandpur such as Pholjang areas, Kangvai areas, Gothol areas and others.

The violent attack in Pholjang area occurred at around 5:00 AM on Thursday when the Meitei radicals dressed and disguised as Muslims men began heavy gunfire towards the village guards who were guarding the villages from intruders in Churachandpur district.

The Kuki-Zo village volunteers retaliated by firing a number of live rounds after which the firing between the two sides subsided for a moment and began again. Firing occurs the whole day and is underway till the filing of this report.

The volunteer who died in cross-firing is identified as Lunminthang (38), son of (L) Lenjang of Bolkot village. The three individuals, who got injuries in the incident, have been identified as Lalboi Touthang (33), son of Hemtong of Yangnomphai village; Jangkholen (26), son of Henthang of Molhoi and Thangjahao (30), son of (L) Thangpao, all hailing from Churachandpur district.

Lalboi sustained bullet injuries on his left arm and lower thigh while Jangkholen was injured on his Right ankle with minor bone injuries. Thangjahao sustained bullet injuries in his lower thigh. The three injured village volunteers have been admitted at District Hospital Churachandpur.

When THJ Reporter visited the two injured victims at the Lamka District Hospital, one of the village volunteer said they are being under heavy attacked at around 5:00 AM of this morning towards their bunkers.

"Many Meitei armed men dressed and disguised as Muslims came toward our side and the village guards at the outpost mistook them for Muslim men, inhabitants of Kwakta area, and paid no heed to the advancing group. However, those people opened fire towards us, thereby a gun-fight broke out between the two sides," he said.

In another incident of Kuki villages being under intermittent attacks by the Meiteis, Khoken village and adjoining areas in Kangpokpi district also came under heavy attacks by the Meitei radicals this morning. However, no casualty has been reported from both sides till the filing of this story.