IMPHAL: Security forces have spearheaded the arrest of three Kuki militants suspected of being involved in the attack in Bishnupur district at midnight on April 6. Police said that in various operations launched in the aftermath of the Tronglaobi incident, in nearby areas of Churachandpur District, 3 cadres suspected to be of UKNA were arrested with the recovery of arms and ammunition.
The arrested militants were identified as Jampao Kuki, Sasang and Paulallem Vaiphai. A huge cache of arms and ammunition was also recovered from the arrested militants. One AK47 with a magazine and 25 rounds, one Pistol with two magazines and 15 rounds, Rs 20,100/- in cash, two sacks of narcotic contraband (raw opium), total weight of 21.19kg.
Further in operations in the Molphei Tampak area in Churachandpur, a huge cache of arms and ammunition was seized by the security force. One MP-9 Automatic Rifle, one Pistol with magazine, two Lethode Tubes, one Pumpi (locally made Canon), and five 70mm Cartridges were seized by the forces.
It should be mentioned that suspected Kuki terrorists attacked a villager’s house in Moirang Tronglaobi village of Bishnupur district, using a rocket launcher, killing two children and triggering panic in the conflict-prone region.
Locals stated that the projectile struck a residential house in Tronglaobi village. A woman and her two very young kids were sleeping inside the house where the rocket hit and caused a powerful explosion, which killed two young children. The mother is also reportedly injured in the brutal attack. The blast from the projectile completely damaged the house. Neighbours were left in shock as they rushed to rescue those inside damaged in the projectile blast.
The village of Tronglaobi, where the attack took place, lies in the peripheral belt of the Bishnupur district, close to the elevated hill areas of the Kuki-dominated Churachandpur district. The locality has long been considered vulnerable because of its proximity to hill positions reportedly occupied by armed Kuki groups.
After the brutal killing of the two children, local Meitei people staged huge protests across the valley districts of Manipur. Several incidents of violent protest were reported from many parts of Bishnupur. Reportedly, a CRPF camp was stormed by protesters, where security forces had to resort to fire, and two civilians were killed in the incident. Internet services have been temporarily banned in Imphal East and West, Kakchin, Bishnupur and Thoubal districts. Police said the situation is tense but under control for now.
