Imphal/ Kamjong, Oct 18: One Kuki civilian was killed while 15 houses belonging to the community were set on fire in a hill village in Manipur’s Kamjong district, forcing a large number of civilians to flee and take shelter in forest areas and a nearby Army camp, officials said on Sunday.
Suspected militants attacked Chassad village late on Saturday night and set the houses ablaze, they said.
Earlier during the day, a Kuki civilian was killed, and four others sustained bullet injuries when suspected militants attacked the village.
They fired several rounds of bullets at the Kuki village of Chassad at around 2.30 pm, following which an exchange of fire was reported between a local armed group and the suspected militants, a senior officer said.
“Village head Thangjahou Haokip (48), and four others – Khailun Haokip, Seikhohou, Hegin Haokip and Seipao Haokip – were injured after the suspected militants attacked the village. All the injured were taken to a hospital where Seikhohou succumbed to his injuries,” the officer said.
The Committee on Tribal Unity, in a statement, condemned the attack on Chassad village and urged the state government to deploy central forces there.
In a statement, police said a joint column of the Assam Rifles, the Border Security Force and Kamjong Police had been deployed in the affected area to bring the situation under control.
Deputy Chief Minister Nemcha Kipgen condemned the violence in Chassad, expressing grief over the death of the Kuki civilian and concern for the injured village leaders and displaced families.
She also called the burning of houses an intolerable crime.
Kipgen said she had instructed the district administration, state police and security forces to maintain round-the-clock vigilance, protect civilian lives and property, and ensure that those responsible were brought to justice.
In a separate incident at Kamjong district headquarters on Saturday night, three Tangkhul Naga civilians sustained bullet injuries when rival armed groups belonging to another community attacked the village. (PTI)
