Amid the reports of normalcy returning to violence-hit Manipur, villagers of Kangchup and Khurkhul area claimed the main water piplelines are cut by suspected Kuki militants.
Eleven clubs of Khurkhul and neighbouring villagers highlighted the matter at a joint meeting organised on Friday at Kanto Sabal Primary School (Relief camp) by a team of relief campers and the village development committee of Kanto Sabal with regards to the situation in and around Khurkhul, Sekmai AC.
The 11 clubs are from Kanto Sabal, Khurkhul, Kanto Khulen, Ex-serman Colony, Chirang, Senjam Chirang, Moibung Khunou, Leina Khong Chingmang and Eengourok Chingmang.
Speaking to the media, Village Development Committee member Usham Santi Khuman said that since the untoward incident that started in Manipur on May 3, villages neighbouring Kuki villages such as Khurkhul and others have been facing uncertainties. They destroyed Eengourok Mahadev and burnt Meitei villages too, Khuman alleged.
He also alleged that Kuki militants came down till Kanto Sabal with the intention to attack Meitei community. However, some of the villagers who have license guns retaliated, thus preventing the militants from reaching Kanto Sabal, he added.
Khuman also said that villagers staying near Kuki villages have been evacuated and are camped at the Kanto Sabal releif camp.
He said that the water pipeline supplying water to Khurkhul, Kanto and other villages was disconnected by suspected Kuki militants and that a water pipeline of Kangchup, which supplies water to Imphal, also disconnected.
Those Kuki militants have constructed bunkers in villages of Meitei community which was left by the Meitei people, he said, adding that stealing animals are also increasing in the areas.
He informed that after the meeting, they resolved to demand immediate removal of Kuki Army Personnel posted at Kanto Sabal; to demand immediate repair of water pipelines, and remove those bunkers.
If the state or the concerned authorities do not fulfil their demands, they will counter blockade and blocked supply of essential commodities to Kuki villages, Khuman said.
