Kuki militants continued their assault on Meitei villages, with Luwangsangol and Phaileng areas coming under heavy fire around 9:30 pm on Sunday.
The VDF post at Laipat Parao responded when Kuki militants fired towards Pangaltabi and Sekmai Parao. The gunfire exchange lasted until 2 am. There were no reported casualties among the VDF personnel.
In a separate incident, suspected Kuki militants seized the keys of a vehicle used for contract work at the 57th Mountain Division Headquarters in Leimakhong, Senapati district, around 9 am on Monday.
N Inao from Kanto Sabal owns the vehicle, a Mahindra Furio-MN05C/4065. Karam Rishikanta, 45, son of K Janaki of Kanto Sabal, was driving the vehicle at the time. He was on a contract job at the Military Hospital within the 57th Mountain Division Headquarters.
The suspected militants took the keys while Rishikanta was making entries at the Ex-servicemen Colony Gate. He reported the incident to the Sikh Regiment at the Entry Gate, and the keys were returned after several communications.
Contractors working inside the Army camp have threatened to cease services if such intimidations persist. To address the issue, Army authorities have announced plans to establish a separate route for Meitei contract workers.
