Crack of dawn on Saturday, the Meitei militants armed with sophisticated weapons launched a renewed attack on Joupi village in Kangpokpi district, killing a village volunteer who was guarding one of the bunkers.
The incident occurred at around 2:30 AM, when the Meitei militants carried out a guerrilla warfare on the foothill village of Joupi, a Kuki village, under Kanggui district, adjoining the Meitei dominated Bishnupur district.
Armed with single-barrel rifles, the courageous Kuki villagers fought valiantly and managed to push back the attackers. During the melee, some of the assailants reportedly went missing.
The deceased villager is identified as Khupminthang, s/o L. Janglal from L. Phaikholum village.
Upon realizing that some of their members were missing, the attackers regrouped and gathered in significant numbers near Ngarian in Bishnupur district since dawn, trying to escalate hostilities in the area.
Vehemently condemning the incident, the Indigenous Tribal Leaders' Forum (ITLF) said there is an imminent threat to Kuki-Zo villages in the surrounding areas as Meitei militants, led by Arambai Tenggol and Meitei police commandos, could launch a bigger attack at any moment.
With a threat looming large due to the Meiteis' continual attack on the Kuki-Zo villages, the tribal forum urged the central security forces to protect Joupi and the nearby tribal villages.
The Hills Journal
K. Salbung, Churachandpur
Manipur-795128
