Kuki militants intensified attacks towards Meitei civilian areas on Friday with a rocket fired at Moirang Mairembam Leikai in Bishnupur district around 3 pm, resulting in the death of one man and injuries to five others.
The rocket exploded at the premises of Mairembam Japan, 50, the grandson of former chief minister of Manipur Mairembam Koireng.
As per sources, during the time of the attack, locals were erecting a ceremonial canopy for the observance of ‘Asti’ (Asthi Visarjan), a hindu ritual for the demise of Koireng’s daughter-in-law.
The rocket hit the premises and claimed the life of one ‘arangpham’, an arranger of the ritual, RK Rabei of Moirang Phiwangbam Leikai, after a shrapnel struck his head.
The injured were identified as Konjengbam Gojendro, 54, son of K Jugeshwar from Okshongbung; Ngangom Ibobi, 65, from Okshongbung; Mairembam Rajeev alias Bobo, 58, son of M Khalen from Sendra Road; Salam Nanao, 40, from Sendra Road; and Salena Mairembam, 13, daughter of M Japan from Mairembam Leikai. They were admitted to RIMS hospital.
Police reported that the attack was launched by Kuki militants from Gelmol Maning Ningthi Ching.
Earlier around 4.20 am, Kuki militants fired rockets at Tronglaobi Makha Leikai under Moirang Police Station in Bishnupur district.
As per sources, the rocket exploded in the toilet of Keisham Tom, 56, son of Babachou. Fortunately, no casualties were reported. The rocket was reportedly fired from the Thangjing Hill range.
In response, a joint team of state police and army also conducted a search operation and demolished a Kuki bunker at Laika Mualsau.
It is reported that an armed Kuki militant with full combat dress were spotted around the bunker. However, no weapons were seized during the operation.
Earlier on Sunday, Kuki terrorists attacked Koutruk Ching Leikai and Kadangband Part-1 by dropping bombs from drones, RPGs and firing, killing a woman and injuring sixteen others including a child and a journalist.
On the following day, two persons further sustained injuries as Kuki terrorists continued with drone strikes at Senjam Chirang in Imphal West dropping three bombs on the civilian population of the area.
On Monday, an Indian Reserve Battalion (IRB) post at Meikan near Sinam, Imphal East district was attacked by Kuki militants with drones and firing of bombs from mortars.
The Kuki militants decamped with three assault rifles including one AK, one INSAS and one INSAS LMG from the post.
