10 Kuki militants gunned down in fierce gunfight at Jiribam

OSR/Correspondent
JIRIBAM, Nov 11: Security forces gunned down 10 Kuki militants in a fierce exchange of fire at Jiribam's Jakuradhor Karong today.
The gunfight took place after Kuki militants attacked Meitei neighbourhoods and security posts  in the area, and burnt down at least 10 houses and shops at around 2.30 pm.
In the light of the attack and the gunfight that ensued, Jiribam District Magistrate, Krishna Kumar, has enforced Section 163 of BNSS 2023 restricting assembly of 5 or more persons and banning carrying of lethal weapons.
"There is apprehension of widespread disturbance to peace and public tranquillity or a riot or any affray in the area and grave danger to human lives and properties because of the unlawful activities of some anti-social elements," stated the notification, which prohibited the assembly of five or more persons. Jakuradhor Karong, near Borobekra police station, is located 30 kilometres from Jiribam town.
After the attack on civilians and security posts of the CRPF and police, security forces retaliated and engaged in a fierce gunfight with the Kuki militants.
The gunfight which lasted around 45 minutes injured one CRPF Constable and killed 10 Kuki militants.
The CRPF Constable who sustained bullet injury has been identified as Sanjeev Kumar.
He was airlifted and evacuated to Silchar Medical College, Assam, and is receiving treatment.
A statement, released by the Manipur Police Control Room in the evening, said the attack at Jakuradhor was fiercely retaliated by the CRPF and Civil Police.
The situation was brought under control after 40-45 minutes of heavy exchange of fire. After the firing ceased, the area was scanned and the security forces recovered 10 dead bodies of armed militants, said the police.
The police said that around 2.30 pm, several armed militants in camouflage uniforms broke into the area and fired incessantly at the Borobekra police station and the CRPF camp located nearby. The police mentioned, they (the insurgents) also targeted the local market, around 100 meters away, and torched several shops, besides attacking some houses. As the security forces retaliated, a heavy exchange of fire began, resulting in the deaths of 10 suspected militants and injuries to one CRPF personnel.
Significantly, after the attack, a search was initiated to locate five missing people reportedly staying at the relief camp within the premises of the police station where the attack occurred. The police stated that it is unclear whether these civilians were kidnapped by the retreating militants or went into hiding after the attack began; however, a search for them is currently underway.
Additionally, security forces also recovered several arms and ammunition including 3 AK Rifles, 4 SLRs, 2 INSAS Rifles, 1 RPG, 1 Pump Action Gun, BP helmets and magazines, added the police.
A criminal case has been registered for investigation and operations in and around Jakuradhor are being continued to flush our armed militants,  said the police.
Sources, meanwhile, said  the bodies of the Kuki militants are being kept inside the campus of CRPF 20 A Company.
Ever since the evening of November 7, Manipur has seen renewed  aggression from well armed Kuki militants. The Sangai Express had briefly reported on November 7 of Kuki militants attacking Mongbung village in Jiribam district at about 8.30 pm. The attack was reported to have come from the direction of Jarolpokpi, a Hmar village.
In the retaliatory course of action that followed the attack at Mongbung village, six houses were reportedly torched at Zairon Hmar village in Jiribam district and in the course of the offensive against the said village a young woman was killed. This was on November 8.
The theatre of aggression then shifted to Bishnupur district when a woman was shot dead at Wathalambi Loukon on November 9. The woman was killed when Kuki militants opened fire on a group of people tending to the paddy fields.
The offensives continued, for on November 10, Kuki militants launched well co-ordinated attacks at Meitei villages in Imphal East district under Yaingangpokpi police station and at Jiribam, again.
The villages that came under heavy firing from Kuki militants included Sabungkhok Khunou, Shanti Khongbal, Sana-sabi and Thamnapokpi from the direction of Yaingan-pokpi, Uyokching and Natumching.
Over 220 have been killed since the ethnic clash erupted on May 3, 2023.