Counter-offensive attack at Sekmai as violence escalates in Manipur ahead of HM visit

Tension ran high in Kangpokpi district as violence escalated in Manipur ahead of Home Minister Amit Shah's visit to the state.

Barely a day after the Minister of State (Home), and the BJP National Spokesperson visited Kangpokpi District, a fierce gun battle occurred on Saturday's midnight at Sekmai village, bordering Imphal West and Kangpokpi district.

The gun firing incident at Sekmai village was reportedly a counter-offensive attack upon the alleged armed Meitei Extremist groups such as Arambai Tenggol, Meitei Leepun, and others who had simultaneously attacked and arson the tribal Kuki villages located in border areas of Churachandpur district, and other Kuki dominated tribal districts in the state.

The intensive attack allegedly by the armed Meitei extremists in Cburachandpur district was reportedly conducted between Gothol and Pholjang villages on several occasions between 3:00 pm to 9:00 pm on May 27, and between 12:30 am to 1:30 pm in the morning on May 28.

It is reported that even as MoS Home Affairs, Nityanand Rai and BJP Spokesperson visited the violent-hit Churachandpur yesterday, the Manipur Police commando and combined forces of Arambai Tenggol, Salaicha Pibarel Punshi Marup, and Meetei Leepun came in over 30 vehicles and attacked Gothol and Kangvai Kuki-Zo villages once again, under Churachandpur district.

Police Commandos are also reportedly using 2-inch mortars in attacking the Tribal Village Volunteers who were guarding the villages.

Many casualties and injuries were also reported from both the warring communities.

The Sekmai's counter-offensive attack lasted almost half an hour, during which one tribal Kuki volunteer was reportedly injured while casualties on the part of another warring community could not ascertain.

As the tension ran high in Kangpokpi district following the attack in the Churachandpur district, enraged mobs began to congregate along the highway-2 at various locations, mainly at Kangpokpi town, Keithelmanbi, Saparmeina, Motbung, and Gamgiphai towards the Imphal side at around 10:30 pm reportedly owing to the non-stop heavy attack in Churachandpur.

The mobs blocked the highway with stones, concrete pipes, and also burnt tyres to restrict the movement of vehicles, mainly the security vehicles supposed to move down towards the Imphal side.

The SP Kangpokpi team who attempted to move down at Gamgiphai was restricted by the mobs at Kangpokpi town. However, the 22 Assam Rifles Commanding Officer opened blank firing and managed to move down but he was stranded at Keithelmanbi, where a huge mob restricted him to move down further.

Interestingly, the mob at Keithelmanbi exerted all possible measures to restrict the Assam Rifle officer to move further down. They even sang the National Anthem while confronting the security forces.

A reliable source informed that more than 10 houses at Sekmai village were burnt down while many were suspected to be wounded and even killed during the fierce gunfight on the part of the warring community from the valley.

One person was reportedly injured on the part of the warring community from Kangpokpi while there was no reported death till the filing of this report.

The armed Meitei extremist groups in desperation reportedly burn their own houses and properties in their area so that the blame is put on the tribals.

The Counter-offensive attack was also reported from Saikul's Leitanpokpi area, Kangchup in Kangpokpi district.

The National Highway-2 leading to Imphal witnessed a road blockade at various locations with stones, logs, carcasses of vehicles burnt, etc.

However, the protestors pave a small way for private vehicles to pass.

Many firing incidents have been reported at various locations today as well.