UKHRUL: In a significant escalation of violence, a village volunteer was reportedly shot at by suspected Kuki militants in Sinakeithei village, located in Ukhrul District, Manipur. The incident reportedly occurred between 3:30 PM and 4:00 PM today.
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The victim has been identified as Chihanngam Rungsung, aged 30, son of Theingasung Rungsung. He sustained a bullet wound to his heel, reportedly inflicted by a sniper. He received first aid from the Border Security Force personnel before being taken to the Ukhrul District Hospital for further medical treatment.
The Sinakeithei village authority has reported that the victim was not in any advancing position but was in the village when he sustained a bullet injury. The village authority noted that this incident unequivocally makes it clear that the village itself is not safe anymore.
Also, it reported that despite the presence of the army and security forces, the village has been under sustained and coordinated armed attack for over two months now, and the situation remains unchanged.
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Kuki terrorists continue to open fire indiscriminately and sometimes use explosives, the village authority alleged, adding that the people of Sinakeithei have largely taken a defensive stance, focusing on protection of homes, land, community, and preventing further occupation.
Additionally, it also alleges that the army and security forces stationed in the area have issued strict warnings that any party initiating fire would face severe consequences, and therefore, the villagers have respected these directives; however, the Kuki terrorists have fired without any restraint. The villagers have, thus, raised serious concerns about the disparity between compliance on one side and continued violation on the other.