Imphal: At least 13 villagers were massacred and several others seriously injured in one of the biggest Kuki aggressions on Meeties in the ongoing sectarian violence in Manipur on Tuesday.
The incident took place around 8 pm Tuesday when a group of heavily armed Kuki militants using heavy weaponry like RPGs and Mortars attacked a group of Meeteis who gathered in a church at Agijang village near Khamenlok under Kangpokpi district to have their lunch.
Sources said the attack came from three directions and many of the slain people bore cuts in their torso, hand, neck and multiple bullet marks. Some of the injured Meeteis were likely taken away by the Kuki militants, the sources added.
Of the 13 deaths, eight of them are identified. They are Yumnam Surjit Kumar, 43, from Ningthemcha; Laishram Suresh, 33, from Ningthemcha (at the hospital); Haobijam Somenkumar, 33, Pangkei Waiton Lamkhai; Moirangthem Heman, 34, Okshu; Konjengbam Shankar Singh, 25, Etham Nungoi Awang Leikai, Telem Thoithoi, 28, Leimakhong Mapal; RK Prasanta, 28; Kongpal Ningthoubung Leikai; Laishram Naothoibi, 32, Kongpal Ningthoubung Leikai.
On the other hand, nearly a dozen people sustained bullet injuries in the shootout incident. Hijam Naocha, 37, from Harourok; Waikhom Robert, 23, Ningthemcha; Leimapokpam Denis, 22, Laipham Khunou; Nameirakpam Aboy, 46, Leimakhong Mapal; Mangshatabam Sanathoi, 19, Leimakhong Mapal; Taorem Pilot, 26, Waiton Makha Leikai; Sagolsem Romen, 39, Keibi; Laishram Bocha, 30 from Leimakhong Mapal; Thangjam Amarjit, 26, Leimakhong mapal and Hijam Sankar, 30, from Khurai are seriously injured in the incident.
The dead bodies have been kept in the mortuary of J.N. Institute of Medical Sciences, Porompat in Imphal. Several injured persons have been admitted to government and private hospitals. Hospital sources said that the death toll will increase since many wounded persons are admitted to the ICUs.
The unhurt villagers rushed out of their houses to flee to safe areas. However, the waiting tribal militants opened fire on the escaping villagers. Additional forces were rushed to Khamenlok. After some minutes of exchange of fire, tribal militants retreated.
Khamenlok has been the main battleground for the Kuki tribal militants and the non-tribal Meiteis for the past few days.
Meanwhile, the District Magistrates in Imphal East and Imphal West had shortened the curfew from 5 a.m. to 9 a.m. on Monday.
