After two weeks of calm in Manipur, three armed Kukis who were on duty at a bunker in Thowai Kuki village under Litan Police Station in Phungyar subdivision, Kamjong district were killed by miscreants around 5.15 am on Friday.
According to the police, the miscreants must have come from Chadong or Itham Moirang Purel side. They first attacked by opening fire towards the Kuki bunker which is situated 1 km uphill from Thowai Kuki village. The bodies were later found 10 metres away from the bunker, said the reports.
The deceased persons have been identified as Jamkhogin Haokip, 26 son of Dhoukholun Haokip, Thangkhokai Haokip, 35 and Hollenson Baite, 24 son of Lhunkhothang Baite, all from Thowai Kuki village.
Police reports added that unknown miscreants have captured the arms from the Kukis. Litan Police station registered a case regarding the incident. Bodies of the deceased have been handed over to their family members after conducting post mortem at District Hospital Ukhrul.
Soon after the attack, heavy reinforcement of state police and central forces arrived at the village. However, the armed attackers had already slipped away from the site.
According to SP Ukhrul Ningshen Vashum, the incident is related to the ongoing ethnic problem in the state.
He said, some armed miscreants entered the village and these three people who were guarding the village were shot. The firing has stopped in the area and security forces comprising the Army and police have moved into the area.
Meanwhile, armed Kuki militants still continue to attack Koutruk village in Imphal West district under the jurisdiction of Lamshang Police Station.
Early Friday morning around, 4.47 am, the Kuki militants once again attacked Meitei residents at Koutruk village from two sides from Bethel and Haraothel villages.
It may be mentioned that Bethel village has been deserted after the village was set ablaze in the ongoing clash. Kuki militants stopped firing after the Village volunteers also retaliated to their attack.
Mention may be made that Koutruk village located near the National Sports University had been a target of armed Kuki militants many a times since the beginning of the conflict.
