A village volunteer on duty at Mahadeva Ching on Kadangband Part-II under Lamshang Police Station in Imphal West died after being injured in an attack by Kuki militants around 3.30 am on Saturday.

The deceased has been identified as one Ningombam James, 27, son of N Rameshor of Mayang Langjing under Lamshang Police Station. His father N Rameshor is an ASI posted at Sekmai Police Station.

N James was shot above his thigh but it took time to rescue him as his area was dominated by Kuki militants. He was rushed to JNIMS in an ambulance but succumbed to his injury.

After he passed away, there was an exchange of gunfire and bombs between village volunteers and Kuki militants for around 20 minutes at the area where he was shot.

Before the exchange of gunfire, Kuki militants had burned the clothes belonging to the village volunteers.

At the time of filing of this report, the Kuki militants are holding up at a road opposite Mahadeva Ching. Meanwhile, the mortal remains of N James have been kept at JNIMS Mortuary.

Meanwhile, Chief Minister N Biren Singh strongly condemned the incident, stating that the attack at Kadangband area was carried out by evil elements which are trying to disrupt the peace.

The government will continue carrying out search and combing operations in the Kadangband area until the perpetrators are arrested, he said.

“Some evil elements are trying to disrupt peace while various civil society organisations, government machineries, meira paibis are working hard to restore peace in the state” he said while responding to the media during a function at CM’s Bungalow.

It is unfortunate that a civilian was shot dead by some evil elements on Saturday morning at Kadangband area, he said.  Search and combing operation has already started in the area and the government will continue the operation until the perpetrators are arrested, he asserted.

With the arrival of New Year, CM Biren further appealed to all the sections of the society to shun violence and help bring peace in the state. He further appealed to end the violence with dialogue on a negotiating table.