Kangpokpi: One village volunteer was killed while three others were injured in a fresh gunfight at Satang hill range, a Kuki village under Saikul sub-division in Kangpokpi district on Saturday morning.
As per sources, the incident occurred at around 5 am when valley armed miscreants infiltrated the area dominated by Kuki and launched fierce gunfight involving bomb attack.
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During the gunfight between the rival groups, one Kuki-Zo, allegedly a village volunteer, identified as Tilminlun Khongsai (26) of NG Phainom Village in Kangpokpi district was killed, while three others from the valley sustained injuries.
The three injured persons who sustained injuries were evacuated to hospitals in Imphal. According to sources, the three are identified as Alex Moirangthem (20) resident of Thoubal Ingourok. He has been admitted at RIMS with a splinter injury on face; Thoinao (25) resident of Ningthoukhong, admitted at Shija hospital, Langol with a bullet injury on right foot; and Tomba (25) of Moirang Khnnou, admitted at Shija hospital with bullet injury on his left shoulder and lung.
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The deceased Tilminlun Khongsai was reportedly buried at the Martyr’s Cemetery at Phaijang village, about 20 km from Kangpokpi district headquarters on Saturday afternoon by members of the Committee on Tribal Unity in the presence of the victim’s family members and well-wishers.
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Strongly condemning the attack at Satang, CoTU alleged that the village volunteer was killed by the proscribed UNLF-MP and Meitei militia, the Arambai Tenggol while defending Satang area in the wee hours of Saturday.
“The Community is also baffled how these Meitei militia and secessionist UNLF-MP could trespassed into the Kuki-Zo dominated areas inspite of the presence Centre Security Forces, especially the 18th Assam Rifles which is supposed to be a neutral forces. Perhaps, it is construed that the presence of Meitei officer, Akash Oinam as the Commanding Officer posted within Kuki-Zo areas is the possible reason for the attack,” said the CoTU.
The Committee also urged the Government of India to depute a non-Manipuri officer in all sectors where Assam Rifles, Border Security Forces and CRPF are covering Kuki-Zo dominated areas for maintaining neutrality and sanctity of the force.
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Meanwhile, the Indigenous Tribal Leader’s Forum in its 5th public consultation held today in Churachandpur district unanimously resolved and made declaration based on nine points.
The following are the nine points of the public declaration:
1. For our future political way forward, the Mizoram government should be approached.
2. We cannot be under the government who killed and destroyed our churches and properties, who separated us physically and demographically and also who took an oath under militia group Arambai Tenggol. Center should directly administer us from Delhi.
3. Objection to scrap FMR and border fencing.
4. To continue any form of agitations and actions as the need arises.
5. To support and cooperate with any plans, projects and policies made by ITLF to strengthen our movement.
6. SoO groups should not sign for the integrity of Manipur and stand firm with our demand for UT with legislature.
7. For our future political movement, meeting with Soo groups and our MLAs should be held with the initiative of Zo United as soon as possible.
8. MHA should be questioned on the status of our political demand by joint signatures of SoO, MLAs and CSOS
9. Our MLAs cannot be part of the Meitei government who killed us and who took oath under the militia Arambai Tenggol. They should work according to the wishes of the people. They should counter the Biren government in favour of our people. They should resign if the need arises.
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Manipur police in regard to today’s fresh gunfight took to X and wrote an individual was killed.