2 youths go 'missing'; Kuki militants attack Meitei village

By Our Staff Reporter
IMPHAL, Sep 28 : Even as Kuki militants keep on attacking Mongbung Meitei village in Jiribam, one of the three youths who went missing after going out to take part in an SSC GD recruit- ment (physical test) at New Keithelmanbi has been rescued by Assam Rifles.
The whereabouts of the other two  youths, however, remain  unknown  although multiple sources said that they (the two missing youths) have  also been rescued  by Assam Rifles.
It is reported that the three youths, all residents of Thoubal Khekman viz Oinam Thoithoi (26), s/o Yaima; Ningombam John-son (25) s/o Sanjoy and Thokchom Thoithoiba (27), s/o Ibotombi lost contact with their families after they went out to attend the physical test at the Assam  Rifles camp at New Keithelmanbi.
Johnson is the rescued youth and he has been handed over to Manipur police by Assam Rifles.
It however is not known from where the Assam Rifles rescued the  missing person.
O Thoithoi and Th Thoi-thoiba have not been handed over to police though multiple sources said  that they also have been rescued by Assam Rifles.
People assumed the three youths were abducted  by Kukis as they  reportedly took the wrong route and headed towards Motbung after passing Sekmai instead of going to New Keithel-manbi.
A source said that three of them may have ended up misadventuring toward Motbung while following the route of their destination in Google Map.
Meanwhile, a Joint Action Committee (JAC) has been formed in connection with the matter after convening a public meeting at Thoubal Khekman.
The JAC has submitted a memorandum to Chief Minister N Biren Singh and DGP Rajiv Singh through Thoubal DC to trace the missing persons and hand them over to their respective families.
Meanwhile, using bombs and sophisticated firearms, Kuki militants once again attacked Mongbung Meitei village in Jiribam today.
At around noon, Kuki militants attacked the Meitei village from two locations, Mongbung Kuki village and Seijang village, sources said.
Security forces and village volunteers who have been guarding the village in view of the repeated attacks from Kuki militants retaliated and prevented the Kuki militants from advancing toward the Meitei village.
Even though the exchange of fire lasted for around one hour, there was no report of any injury on the side of the village volunteers and the security forces. However, sources said that there might be some casualties on the side of the Kuki militants in the retaliatory firing. With the Kuki militants repeatedly attacking their village, the people of Mongbung Meitei village have already fled to safer places.