A villager who had volunteered to guard his village at Kadangband Part 1 under Kangchup Police Station in Imphal West sustained bullet injuries after suspected Kuki militants reportedly launched an attack around 1.25 am on Wednesday.
The injured villager has been identified as one Aribam Rishikesh, 31, son of (L) Brajabidhu from Kadangband Part 1.
As per sources, on receiving information that Kuki militants are about to attack their village, Rishikesh and a few others volunteered to stand guard.
Around 1.25 am, the Kuki militants who had built a bunker at the Old Quarter of Singda Dam opened fire into the village, as per sources. Rishikesh sustained bullet wounds on his right thigh and his fingers.
The bone on his right leg has been shattered by a bullet, and he is being treated at RIMS Ortho ward, sources said.
After Rishikesh was shot, personnel of the 7th MR fired blank rounds in the air and brought him out. The personnel of the 7th MR had arrived at the community hall of Kadangband Part 1 on Tuesday. After Risikesh was injured, there was an exchange of fire with the Kuki militants till 4:00 am, as per sources.
Member of Kadangband Ward number 1, Ksh Nabakumar told media that on Monday night one Saitinpao of Kangchup Geljang threatened them through phone that they have 40 AK rifles and they will kill all the villagers.
"I didn’t know if he made the statement under alcoholic influence or not", said Nabakumar.
Later, in the intervening night of Monday and Tuesday suspected Kuki militants started attacking the villagers. The villagers requested the BSF and Army personnel to help the villagers during the situation but instead of helping the villagers, the security personnel hid themselves for their self-protection, he reported.
Later, state police along with Manipur Rifles rushed to the spot and controlled the situation and during the incident Aribam Rishikesh Sharma received bullet injury from the bullet of the armed miscreants, he said.
The state police told the villagers that the state police personnel are working for the people of the state irrespective of caste creed and religion. However, if any individual or group attacks them, then the state police will retaliate, he said.
