Imphal: Continuing Kuki militant attacks in several valley areas simultaneously since early Thursday morning left one Meitei village volunteer, four villagers dead and four others injured.
Kuki militants launched attacks with bombs and heavy gunfire at Ningthoukhong Kha Khunou, Thinungei and Irengbam Maning in Bishnupur district, Phayeng, Kangchup Singda Dam and Kadangbam in Imphal West, Sinam Chingthak, Kongba Maru, Nongbram and Sugnu in Kakching district. Village volunteers and security forces retaliated ensuing fierce gunfight at several places.
In one of these attacks at Kangchup hill, one village volunteer identified as Takhellambam Manoranjan, a resident of Thiyam Konjin was killed and viallge volunteer was injured. While in Sinam Chingthak three village volunteers were injured, one critically.
Later in the evening, in a shocking case of mindless killing four unarmed farmers were gunned down by Kuki militants at Ningthoukhong Kha Khunou at around 2.30 pm.
Those killed were identified as the father-son duo of Oinam Bamonjao Singh-61 years and Oinam Manitomba Singh-32 years , Thiyam Somendro Singh-55 and Ningthoujam Nabadwip Singh-40 years.
Enraged over the killings several thousand people including women vendors, Meira Paibis, youth of the state came out in the streets of Imphal and marched towards the CM’s residence and Raj Bhavan, State Police and Rapid Action Force personnel fired several tear gas shells to control the surging public.
The public strongly reacting against the continued violence in the state demanded the removal of Kuldiep Singh, the chairman of the Unified Command, for his inability to perform his duty. They also demanded the removal of Assam Rifles and other Central forces charging them of being a mute spectator on the face of the onslaughts by Kuki militants.
