Cattle Herder Under Attack by Ruthless Kuki Militants in Phougakchao Ikhai

Last Updated on July 21, 2023 by SPN Editor

Imphal/ July 21, 2023 (SPN) | Manipur witnessed another day of tension and violence as Kuki militants fired at a person herding cattles at Phougakchao Ikhai Mamang Leikai yesterday.

While the person escaped unhurt, Meitei village volunteers retaliated and exchanged fire using licensed guns.

Another incident occurred in the fields that lie between Torbung and Phougakchao Ikhai Mamang Leikai under the jurisdiction of Phougakchao Ikhai police station.

Around 2 PM, the Kuki militants opened fire on farmers who were busy preparing irrigation systems for their fields.

The Kuki militants, stationed at a bunker near Torbung Sabal Leikai, unleashed a volley of bullets on the defenseless farmers. Families who relied on the harvest for their livelihoods now find themselves terrorized by the recent violent attacks by Kuki militants.

In other incidents, Meitei village defense volunteers engaged in an intense armed confrontation near Khongnangpokpi Kom village at the border of Imphal West and Kangpokpi districts.

The gun battle, which began around 1:40 PM, lasted for nearly three hours, with deafening sounds of gunfire echoing through the nearby hills.

As per a source, Kuki militants also fired two mortar shells. As the mortar shells landed some distance away from the Meitei defense volunteers, there was no casualty.

As the Meitei volunteers retaliated aggressively, the Kuki militants retreated and ran up the hills which lead to Luwangshangbam.

• Also Read: 40,000 Hectares of Farmland Under Siege by Kuki Militants

Despite the ferocity of the shootout, it couldn’t be immediately confirmed whether there were any casualties on either side. Initial reports indicated that both sides exercised caution and shortened the confrontation before any major harm occurred.

As of now, there have been no reports of injuries in both incident, which is reassuring news for the local communities. However, the situation remains tense, and authorities are vigilant for any further developments.