SENAPATI/KANGPOKPI: The president of the Senapati District Students’ Association (SDSA), Saloni Tony, told Ukhrul Times that Tuesday’s commotion at T. Khullen was triggered by what he described as repeated provocation and aggression from Kuki individuals.
According to SDSA president, the incident began around 6:30 am when an escort team from Kangpokpi Police arrived at a UNC check post in T. Khullen, where volunteers were enforcing a three-day total shutdown. He alleged that the police attempted to arrest one of the volunteers and intimidated others by loading their assault rifles.
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He further stated that between 9:00 am and 10:00 am, two Kuki individuals, one wearing a white shirt and the other a black shirt, attempted multiple times to remove barricades set up by UNC volunteers, allegedly in the presence of Kangpokpi Police. Despite restraint shown by the volunteers, the individuals reportedly returned several times.
SDSA president also alleged that stone pelting was initiated against the volunteers and claimed that a few rounds of gunfire were heard from the direction of Changoubung Kuki village, escalating the situation. He said the SDSA office and a vehicle were damaged, and, without giving specific numbers, said volunteers sustained injuries. He further alleged the presence of Kuki militant elements in the vicinity, expressing skepticism over the effectiveness of security force intervention.
The situation has since improved following the deployment of police and security forces at T. Khullen and along the Changoubung Kuki-inhabited stretch of National Highway-2.