Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh on Sunday visited the bereaved family members of the four farmers, who were killed by Kuki militants, and extended condolences while assuring of providing all possible assistance to them.
During the visit, he condemned the killings of villagers from Kumbi and heard the pleas of the locals. He said that the government is aware of the prevailing situation and has been closely observing it all. He comforted the villagers and appealed to them not to worry. ‘Our time has come’, he asserted.
Besides offering financial support to the grieving families of the four individuals, he also extended emotional support and further assured to construct and renovate their houses, sources said.
He was accompanied by Works Minister Govindas Konthoujam, Moirang MLA th Shanti, Rajya Sabha MP Leishemba Sanajaoba, Kumbi MLA S Premchandra, Kumbi Ex-MLA S Bira, Patsoi MLA Sapam Kunjakeswor and other officials, sources added.
Later, the Chief Minister in his X handle, shared photos and said, ‘Visited the bereaved families of the four farmers, who recently lost their lives when collecting firewood, at Terakhong Makha Leikai Akasoi in Bishnupur district. Extended my sincere condolences and prayed for the bereaved families to find strength in bearing the irreparable loss and fortitude in the hour of grief. May the departed souls rest in peace. The state government also extends solidarity to them and will provide necessary assistance and redressal’.
It may be mentioned that four Meitei villagers namely Thoudam Ibomcha, 52, and Thoudam Anand, 25, who are father and son; Oinam Romen, 45, and Ahanthem Dara Meitei, 49, all hailing from Kumbi Terakhong Akasoi in Bishnupur district went missing at Sabal Maning Ching in Bishnupur district on Wednesday.
The bodies of Ibomcha, Anand and Romen were recovered on Thursday from Haotak Phailen Hill range, while Dara’s body was found on Saturday, from the same hill range, about 200 metres above the spot where the earlier bodies were recovered. All of their bodies bore bullet wounds. The latest killings has sparked condemnation from various organisations, associations and parties and reignited the same lingering fear among the weary people of the violence-hit state.