Thamnapokpi, Ningthoukhong Kha-Khunou, Jiribam come under heavy attack Kuki militants continue to rain bullets at peripheries

By Our Staff Reporter
IMPHAL, Nov 13: Even as the 24-hour total shutdown called by 13 organisations impacted several districts including Jiribam, Kuki militants continued to attack farmers at several fringe areas.
For the 5th consecutive day today, Kuki militants rained bullets and bombs on civilian settlements in Thamnapokpi, under Imphal East district.
Heavy gunfights reportedly took place at Ningthoukhong Kha-Khunou and Jiribam.
The attacks across several regions came amid a 24-hour total shutdown imposed by 13 organisations, denouncing attacks on civilians and demanding safe release and rescue of 6 civilians, including 3 women and 3 minors, abducted and held hostage by Kuki terror groups from Jiribam's Jakuradhor Karong.
The shutdown imposed by the organisations including ACOAM Lup, IPSA and KSA shut all major markets in Imphal and other valley regions and affected vehicular movement.
Petrol pumps, educational institutions, Government and private institutions remained closed.
Meanwhile, amid the shutdown, Thamnapokpi in Imphal West came under attack from Kuki militants at around 1.20 pm.
Guarded by security forces, farmers were harvesting paddy at Thamnapokpi area when they came under heavy fire from Kuki militants.
The militants launched the attack from nearby Yaingangpokpi hill range.
The militants launched multiple bomb attacks and fired indiscriminately towards the fields and civilian settlements.
Under heavy fire, farmers ran for cover, and the security forces retaliated by firing towards the militants, who were trying to advance towards Thamnapokpi village.
While the gunfight lasted several hours, no farmers and security personnel were injured.
Anticipating further attacks at night time, security personnel deployed in the area are on high alert, and monitoring the movement of Kuki militants.
Civilians of Meitei settlements in the area have been shifted to safe areas, said sources.
Meanwhile, farmers at Ningthoukhong Kha-Khunou also came under firing at around 3 pm.
Reportedly, the Kuki militants came from Lamlai Kabui village side and travelled over 2 kilometres to carry out the attack on farmers harvesting paddy at Ningthoukhong Kha Khunou. The attack forced farmers to abandon harvesting and flee to safety.
Security personnel deployed in the area retaliated by opening fire on the militants.
The security forces' response forced the Kuki militants to flee in a hurry, said sources.
While no one was injured in the attack, extra security measures have been put in place to thwart future attacks, said the sources.
At Jiribam, the CRPF gunning down 10 Kuki militants recently didn't deter it from attacking again.
Well armed Kuki militants attacked Mongbung village at around 4 pm.
Security personnel retaliated by firing towards the Kuki militants.
Intermittent firing was on till the filing of this report, and there were no casualties on the side of the security forces.
Notably, several Jiribam Meitei villages have been the target of Kuki militants since the past few days.
On November 11, Kuki militants attacked security posts and a police station in the Jakuradhor area and burnt several houses and shops.
In the attack, the militants killed two elderly civilians, injured one CRPF personnel and abducted 6 civilians--3 women and 3 minor children. The CRPF and the police gunned down 10 Kuki militants in retaliation to the attack.
The 6 missing have been identified as Yumlembam Rani Devi (60), Telem Thoibi Devi (31) and her daughter Telem Thajamanbi (8), Laishram Heitonbi Devi (25), her son Laishram Chingkheinganba (2), and her youngest child, Laishram Langamba (8 months).
The whereabouts and status of the 6 abducted individuals including minors have not been ascertained.