In a disconcerting turn of events, the periphery areas of Itham Moirangpurel in Imphal East witnessed a resurgence of violence today, with Kuki militants launching a renewed attack on the Meetei village. The orchestrated clash unfolded as militants, armed with bomb launchers and sophisticated weaponry, targeted Itham Moirangpurel from a nearby hill range in the early morning hours.
Despite the intensity of the confrontation, no injuries have been reported thus far. Itham Moirangpurel, already on edge from a recent attack on sand miners in Tumolok, once again found itself at the epicenter of the conflict.
In a positive development, Imphal East commandos successfully executed a recovery operation, reclaiming six trucks that had been stranded at Tumulok following the previous day’s Kuki militant assault. This recovery operation took place in the morning hours, alleviating some logistical challenges.
The sequence of events unfolded with the initial attack on Itham Moirangpurel Meitei commencing at around 3:30 am. Kuki militants strategically bombarded the village from the Mamang hill range, initiating the conflict. This initial assault was met with indiscriminate firings, sparking a prolonged exchange of fire between the militants and security forces that endured for approximately 30 minutes.
Following a temporary lull, Kuki militants resumed hostilities around 6 am, launching a second offensive from the hill range. This second round of firefight, while shorter in duration, was marked by heightened intensity. Despite the gravity of the clashes, security forces conducted an exhaustive search operation in areas deemed suspicious post-attack. However, no arrests were made.
As the situation remains tense in Itham Moirangpurel, authorities have escalated security measures to ensure the safety and stability of the area, underscoring the persistent challenges faced by the community.
