KUKI-ZO MILITANTS PERPETUATE TERROR ON CHRISTMAS DAY
CONFLICT
Imphal: The festive air of Christmas in the Meitei villages of Yaingangpokpi, Santikhonbal, and Thamnapokpi Khounou was brutally shattered by the Kuki-Zo militants. Contrary to the essence of the festive season of Christmas, Kuki-Zo militants adorned themselves with smiles and hymns on Christmas Eve, wielding deadly weaponry and vowing to persist in their aggressive stance.
As dawn broke on Christmas Day, traditionally a time of goodwill, these militants unleashed terror upon Meitei villages at Yaingangpokpi, Santikhonbal, and Thamnapokpi Khounou. The Meitei community, in the spirit of Christmas, refrained from retaliation despite being on high alert.
Despite the absence of fatalities, video clips that surfaced of the attacks revealed their ruthless demeanour, displaying well-equipped militants firing from bunkers, signaling a solid supply of ammunition. The barbaric display contradicted the festive essence, inducing fear in the villages with a barrage of gunshots.
This assault, however, was not an isolated incident. Days prior, the militants had callously intercepted and incinerated a transport vehicle carrying critical medical supplies worth Rs. 45 lakhs along the Kangpokpi sector of National Highway No. 2.
These distressing events compound a series of troubling occurrences involving the Kuki-Zo militants.
Just a week before, on December 18, reports surfaced of suspected Kuki militants engaging in unprovoked firing episodes. The continuous instances of aggression, coupled with previous events, have instilled a sense of fear and instability among residents.
These relentless acts of violence and destruction are not only disrupting daily life but also casting long-term shadows on stability and communal harmony in the region. The vulnerability of the area to such targeted attacks and the persisting hostilities underline the urgent need for robust security measures and proactive steps toward conflict resolution.