Manipur Police have refuted reports of the Indian Army rescuing 75 women on the night of May 16, calling them unfounded.
According to the officer in charge of Nambol Police Station, the true event involved Meira Paibis from Leimaram Waroiching and nearby villagers who were protesting the withdrawal of the 5/9 Gorkha Regiment from Waroiching since May 13.
The statement clarified that on May 16, between 5 pm and 7 pm, the villagers ended their protest and dispersed peacefully.
At approximately 10 pm, while District Police were patrolling near Ichum Kom Police post, unknown armed individuals fired three rounds from Waroiching hill (Kuki village) towards the valley.
About 10 minutes later, another seven to eight rounds were fired from Agijang Hill towards the valley. Police personnel at Ichum Kom Junction responded by firing three rounds towards the hill.
At 10:30 pm, a team from the 5/9 Gorkha Regiment, led by a major, arrived at Ichum Kom Junction and was later joined by officers from 5/9 GR and 33 AR.
The GR team confirmed the presence of approximately five or six armed miscreants at Agijang Hill (Kuki village) and fired about 15 illumination mortars towards the hill. The team at Irengbam Awang Leikai IRB post also fired several rounds.
The situation was brought under control through the combined efforts of the 5/9 GR, 33 AR, and District Police. There were no reports of 75 women being rescued, as they had already dispersed before the incident occurred.
